TIME is running out for Devon communities to shout out and get their hands on £500.

The closing date for the Devon Community of the Year awards is fast approaching and anyone wishing to be in with a chance to win needs to submit their entry before Thursday, June 30.

The awards are looking for an outstanding group, town or village that has worked to improve its physical or social environment.

This year's awards feature two special categories of healthy and green communities of the year, as these topical issues are being tackled in innovative and creative ways by the people of Devon

Jay Talbot, chief executive of the Community Council of Devon said: 'We know that the people of Devon are proud of where they live, and that they work hard to ensure their communities continue to be the best of the best. We want to hear about everything people are doing and reward this hard work.

'We have already had some great entries, but we know that there are more communities out there whose hard work deserves to be recognised and we urge everyone to submit their entries before June 30.'

The Devon Community of the Year awards are free to enter – simply click on http://www.devonrcc.org.uk">www.devonrcc.org.uk and tell them about your community in no more than 1,000 words.