AN ANNUAL award to recognise the positive work of young people in Thornbury has been relaunched this month by the town’s mayor.

The Mayor’s Youth Awards, which started in 2006, has been reintroduced by Cllr Helen Harrison after last being given out in 2013, to recognise the achievements and contributions of young people in the town.

Cllr Harrison announced the decision in her first full council meeting as mayor in May, to resounding support from fellow councillors.

Any youth group in the town is able to make nominations for the award, with an independent panel of judges picking the winner at the end of the mayor’s term in office in May.

Previously the award had only been presented to one individual each year, but the new version will see three young people receiving a prize, with groups can nominate as many of their members as they like, as long as they are a Thornbury resident.

The winning nominees of the three categories, primary school, secondary school and will receive a £50 cheque to go to a charity of their choice.

Cllr Harrison said: “I am delighted to be relaunching the Mayor’s Youth Awards during my mayoral year.

“One of the key aims for my mayoral year is to raise the profile of young people and their place in our community, and these awards are part of that.

“The awards are open to all young people living within the Thornbury parish, and an organisation or school can nominate as many suitable candidates as they wish.

“Already in my visits to various events I have been very impressed with the number of young people making a positive impact on a wide range of projects and organisations, and am looking forward to being inundated with nominations so that we can really celebrate the youth of Thornbury.”

Nominations for the awards are already open, and will close in January 2017.

Application forms have already been sent to each school in the town, and are also available to collect from Thornbury Town Hall or by emailing info@thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk