Who are the people who present the friendly face of Thanet - the ones who always go out of their way to provide a warm welcome to visitors and locals alike? We are looking for the area's top customer service people, but what does it take to win a Pride in Thanet Award? Last year Kayleigh Conroy, 18, of Broadstairs, won the Tourism Student of the Year award. This is what she had to say about it.

"I'm on the tourism course at Thanet College where I am studying for a BTEC National Certificate Qualification. When I finish my course I hope to get an air crew job. I also work part-time at Claire's Accessories.

"Through my course I spend time with tourist attractions and businesses, which has given me a much greater insight into customer service and working with the public. I enjoy what I am doing because I get to meet new people every day.

"I think customer service is important because it generates repeat business. When I'm working in Claire's Accessories customers are sometimes impolite. When that happens I try to stay calm and listen to what they want.

"I'm hoping that my college course will help me achieve my ambition of flying around the world."

The deadline for Pride in Thanet Awards nominations is Friday, February 26. You can nominate online at www.visitkent.co.uk/prideawards. For further information, or to ask for a printed nomination form, email: prideinthanet@thanet.gov.uk or tel: 0870 264 6111.

If you nominate someone for an award and they go on to win, you will be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher from Marks & Spencer at Westwood Cross. So what are you waiting for?

The awards, part of the Celebrating Kent campaign led by Visit Kent at Kent County Council, will be presented in March.

Celebrating Kent Pride Awards are part of the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Olympic Games, a partnership led and managed by Kent County Council to maximise the benefits and long term legacy to the county off the back of the 2012 Games. The award-winning campaign primarily works across eight sectors, including tourism, sport, the arts, and education. Further details can be found atwww.kentsport.org/london2012