DO YOU know someone extraordinary who lives or works in Maidstone and deserves to win a Kent Messenger Pride of Maidstone Award?

The scheme has been relaunched with the aim of honouring and congratulating some of the special people who contribute so much to the borough of Maidstone.

Once again the Kent Messenger newspaper is inviting its readers to nominate people who have accomplished something against all the odds, shown courage or kindness or touched a life in some memorable way.

Last year more than 50 certificates were presented to deserving recipients by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Pat Marshall, at ceremonies in the Town Hall. The event, run by the Kent Messenger in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council, is now in its second year.

Ron Green, KM senior editor West Kent, said: “We found some wonderful people in the first year of Pride of Maidstone, the kind of people who are the lifeblood of the borough, but whose efforts would otherwise go largely unrecognised.

“Their determination, dedication and selfless hard work improves the quality of life for so many others in their communities.

“Now we have a new opportunity to appreciate the efforts of more people like them and to express our gratitude and thanks.”

Every week in the KM a nomination form will appear, inviting you to enter that special person under one of the following categories:

* Community endeavour: For people such as volunteer workers, fund-raisers and good neighours.

* Courage: For people who overcome personal disability or adversity or who put their safety second to help others.

* Outstanding achievement: For the talented academic or business achievers and those such as public sector workers who make a special contribution to help others.

THE KM Pride of Maidstone award scheme is open to children as well as adults. Youngsters aged 12 and under can receive a special Maidstone Marvel Award.

Any young person who has done something worthy of recognition - be it achieving outstanding results at school, helping their neighbours, or overcoming an illness, is eligible to receive one of the special certificates.

Iggy the cartoon dinosaur has been created to promote the junior section of the competition to show the young achievers how special they are.

The nomination process for Maidstone Marvels is exactly the same as for the Pride of Maidstone Awards. Simply fill in a nomination form and send it in, or email details of your nomination to messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk with Pride of Maidstone as the subject.