Volunteers from the award-winning Crampton Tower Museum, pictured with officials at last year's Pride in Thanet Awards. Martin Apps/Countrywide Photography

The search is on for Thanet's top customer service people -- the ones who always go out of their way to provide a warm welcome to visitors and local residents.

The hotly-contested annual Pride in Thanet Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of those working in the isle's tourism sector.

Previous winners include the 20-strong team at Crampton Tower Museum, Broadstairs, who picked up the Volunteer Group of the Year Award at last year's ceremony.

Mary Johns, 60, from Margate, who works at the museum, said: "Good customer service is important because you should provide the best service possible to make visitors feel welcome.

"I really enjoy keeping the museum alive and interesting for visitors but I find it frustrating when we don't have enough funds to go through with some of the great ideas we have to make the museum even better."

The deadline for next year's Pride in Thanet nominations is February 26, 2010, with winners announced the following month.

Nominations can be made online at www.visitkent.co.uk/prideawards. For further information, or to request a printed nomination form, email prideinthanet@thanet.gov.uk or contact 0870 264 6111.

Local people who nominate eventual winners will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher.