ALTRUISTIC teenagers will be battling it out to be crowned Thornbury’s most outstanding community member and win £100 for their charity of choice at the Mayor’s Youth Awards.

The annual event sets out to reward young people under 19 years old who have distinguished themselves through their volunteer work and contribution to Thornbury.

Youth club leaders, schools, college representatives and organisations are invited to put forward nominees by filling an application form, explaining in no more than 250 words why he or she is a worthy candidate.

In a statement, the awards organisers said: "The mayor of Thornbury’s Youth Awards are run by Thornbury Town Council annually to give due recognition to the many young people of the town who give their own time and voluntary effort to support and assist individuals, and projects with no payment or reward for themselves other than the satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing fully to the community in which they live."

The entries will be reviewed by a judging panel headed by Mayor Gill Brooks and comprised of the deputy mayor, a council member, the Gazette’s Thornbury reporter Marion Sauvebois and a police officer. The winner will be announced at the council AGM on May 8.

Cllr Brooks said: "These awards are extremely important. Youngsters in this town do an awful lot. Castle School, for instance, has pupils volunteering all over town.

"It’s very good for young people to go out and volunteer and they need to feel appreciated for it."

Nominees do not have to be living in Thornbury, but they have to have made their mark in and worked for town-based charities.

Schools and clubs will only be allowed to nominate one standout pupil or member. But the judging panel may consider a couple of candidates from a single organisation if they are both first-class volunteers.

Cllr Phyllida Parsloe, who will take over as town mayor in May, added: "Young people do a lot in this town. They are the next generation and we need to get them involved in the town. And it will give them an absolutely brilliant reference."

Application forms are available from the Town Hall or can be downloaded from the council website at www.thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk All nominations must be returned to the Town Hall by 4pm on Thursday, April 19.