CRAVEN District Council and the Craven Herald are looking for the community's exceptional young people and volunteers.

As part of the annual Craven Community Champions Awards, we are this week highlighting young people or volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to Craven.

For the Young Citizen of the Year Award, judges will be looking for a young person, aged between 11 and 25 years old, who has made a positive difference in their community.

Last year, Eleanor Marshall, an enthusiastic young leader at Skipton Juniors FC, was winner of the award.

Eleanor coaches the younger teams on a regular basis where she is looked up to by the players and other young leaders for her passionate, committed and enthusiastic style. She has also been involved with refereeing junior football, has assisted with the West Riding Girls Football League to deliver under 8s girls' football festivals, and helps out with a wide range of sporting events at her school.

Judges will be looking for the nominee who has made a real impact in their community, who has shown exceptional commitment, brought people together from different backgrounds and inspired others by overcoming an obstacle, or going beyond the call of duty.

The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate sponsors the Young Citizen of the Year Award and kindly provides the venue for the awards ceremony.

A hotel spokesman said: “It is with great pride that The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa once again sponsors the Young Citizen of the Year. It’s fantastic to see so many rising stars throughout the community who dedicate their time and effort to others.”

For Volunteer of the Year, we are looking for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their community through volunteering.

In 2014, the award went to Sylvia Merrett, a long-time member of the Craven community and voluntary sector, and chairman of the Craven Mental Health Forum.

Sylvia has gone over and above the role of chairman by building a Craven Mental Health forum website and a Facebook page, along with a regular email bulletin service, improving access to current information.

She is also an active supporter of the Settle Soup initiative, and a member of the board of trustees of Craven CVS.

Judges looking for Volunteer of the Year, will be looking for nominees who have shown commitment to a cause or organisation, and who has acted as a role model or ambassador for volunteering. Nominees should also be motived and inspire others to get involved in their cause or organisation, make a positive difference and who has improved the well-being of residents or a community in general.

The award is sponsored by the Broughton Hall Estate.

A spokesman said: “The Broughton Hall Estate is delighted to work with a number of local charities; we recognise the valuable role that the community and voluntary sector play in Craven. The people of Craven are special and their outstanding contributions and commitment to their community make such a difference to the lives of local people. To recognise the hard work and commitment of our communities, Broughton Hall Estate is very proud to sponsor the Volunteer of the Year 2016.”

Nomination forms are available on the council website at cravendc.gov.uk communitychampions or from participating shops or services, library or doctors surgery. To put forward a group or individual for a Community Champions Award, nomination forms must be completed before November 13.

The winners will be announced on January 12, at the awards ceremony to be hosted by the Coniston Hotel and Country Estate at Coniston Cold, near Skipton.

Everyone who has been shortlisted to receive an award will be invited to attend the Award Ceremony.