KENT businesses are backing an awards scheme which honours some of the county's 300,000 volunteers. For the first time, businesses have come together to sponsor the Kent Volunteers Awards for Volunteering Excellence.

The 2002 awards, organised by Kent County Council, are sponsored by Barclays, the Marlowe Theatre, Pfizer, Saga Group Ltd, Eurotunnel the Environment Agency and media partners, Kent Messenger Group Newspapers.

Launching the awards, KCC leader Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: "Volunteers are vital to any county. We are fortunate in Kent in having many people with energy, talent and commitment who give tirelessly to the well-being of others or their community. We do, of course, always need more." Mr Bruce-Lockhart said that in the past two years, the awards had resulted in some amazing stories. He hoped that entries in the 2002 awards would be equally inspiring.

TV celebrity and actor, Paul Hendy, was also at County Hall for the launch, along with Kent's new High Sheriff, Charles Dawes. Mr Hendy, who recently appeared at The Marlowe Theatre as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz, said: "I've seen today that volunteers, too, get a great deal out of their volunteering. It's a wonderful scheme and I hope that many, many people all over Kent who know an exception volunteer, will nominate him or her for an award."

There are eight categories for which individuals or groups can be nominated and there will be three awards in each category. Categories are: Sport and the Arts; the Protection and Enjoyment of the Environment; Carers, Welfare and Disability; Counselling, Advice and Self Help; Community Support and Development; Voluntary Committee Support, the KCC Education Award (for drugs/alcohol initiatives, anti-bullying, crime campaigns, reading/literacy) and the Special Jubilee Award for an outstanding group organising a golden jubilee event that encourages community participation.

Posters and nomination forms for this year's awards are available in libraries, schools, council offices, volunteer bureaux, adult education centres and other public places.

Forms are also available from the Events Office, Kent County Council, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XQ. Closing date for entries is September 20. Everyone who is nominated will receive a certificate and winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in Ashford on December 1.