Celebrity presenter Nicki Chapman has praised teachers in the county for their hard work and dedication.

The Escape to the Country andWanted Down Under TV presenter was briefed this week by organisers of the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards after the judging panel had selected 50 teachers, support staff and school volunteers to be honoured at this year’s event.

The annual awards celebration will be staged at Leeds Castle in May with winners’ work then published in a booklet and sent to every school in the county to help spread best practice.

The former Popstars and Pop Idol judge, who formerly lived in Herne Bay and has family members working in the education sector, said: “The 2016 Kent Teacher of the Year Awards will celebrate the work of 50 of the very best teachers, support staff and volunteers that help make schools in the county a success. Teachers play a vital role in our community and society and I am so proud to be able to focus attention on the excellent teaching being delivered in the region.”

Teacher awards event host Simon Dolby, from the KM Charity Team, said: “Nicki’s family links to the teaching profession make the teaching awards very important for her. It was great to be able to brief her on the work of our charity.”

This year it will not just be the winners receiving recognition. More than 250 of the 700 nominees for this year’s awards will be sent a special letter to congratulate them on their hard work.

The judging panel was made up from senior representatives of the University of Kent, Kent County Council, Social Enterprise Kent, SELT, Kent Sport and Physical Activity Service, Project Salus, Medway Council, CXK, Kreston Reeves, Loop CR, Three R's Teacher Recruitment, Canterbury Christ Church University, Leeds Castle and Marlowe Theatre.

To find out more visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk