A CALL has been issued to find the county's community transport heroes.

Devon County Council will hold its 15th annual Community Transport Awards later this year.

The awards honour the excellent work carried out by those special groups and individuals who have shown dedication and commitment to community transport in the county.

Nomination forms are now available from the county council and submissions are invited before the closing date of Monday, April 28. Anyone working or volunteering in the community transport sector can be nominated by passengers, staff or volunteers.

The ceremony will be held in Exeter on June 12. It will feature award categories in recognition of community transport volunteers, with one person being selected overall as the 'community transport volunteer of the year'.

Paid staff can be nominated in the category of 'employee of the year', and the 'outstanding lifetime contribution' award is open to staff and volunteers.

Community transport groups can also be nominated in the category for 'best contribution to the local community'.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management, said: 'Community transport is an incredibly highly valued service and we want to hear about groups and individuals who have made a difference to their local community.

'Communities really value this important service which can be a lifeline to many people, providing access to the nearest town, local shops, GP surgery and other vital services, and the awards are deserved recognition to those involved in community transport.'

Nominations will be considered by a panel comprising of representatives from the Community Council of Devon, NHS Devon and Devon County Council.

Nomination forms are available online at http://www.devon.gov.uk/communitytransportawards">www.devon.gov.uk/communitytransportawards or by emailing http://www.devon.gov.uk/communitytransportawards">www.devon.gov.uk/communitytransportawards or by calling Devon County Council's community transport team on 01392 382123.