LOVE Winchester? Love its buildings?

Then tell the City of Winchester Trust.

The trust, in partnership with the Hampshire Chronicle, is asking the people of Winchester, residents and visitors alike, to nominate their favourite buildings.

The top nominations, as suggested by the public, will then be put to a public vote to discover which buildings wins the hearts of those who love Winchester.

The buildings must be within the city of Winchester, but can be any building of any age or type.

Nominations should fall under one of these categories: - Design Delights - Amazing Ancients - Hidden History - Creative Contemporary - Personal Places Nominations have now opened, and will close on Friday, April 8.

The most nominated buildings will then be subject to a public vote, which will open on May 1. The winners will be announced at a special event, hosted by the Mayor of Winchester, on June 25, which is National Civic Day.

Iain Patton, chairman of the City of Winchester Trust, said: “This is fantastic opportunity for people who love Winchester to tell us which building is their favourite, and we hope these awards will encourage people to talk about the fantastic buildings that we have here in Winchester.”

Keith Redbourn, editor of the Hampshire Chronicle, said: “We are delighted to team up with the City of Winchester Trust to run this exciting competition.

“Winchester is steeped in history and culture, with so many buildings of architectual interest on so many levels.

“We hope our readers will nominate their favourite buildings to highlight once again what a special place Winchester is.”

Nominations in the Personal Places category will also be considered for inclusion in a series of special articles in the Hampshire Chronicle during July, featuring those buildings that mean so much to the people of Winchester, but which may have a personal rather than public importance.

Nominations can be made in a number of ways. By post to: Heart of the City Awards, The Heritage Centre, 32 Upper Brook Street, Winchester SO23 8DG; By phone, leaving a message on 01962 851664; By email to: HCAwards@cityofwinchestertrust.

co.uk; or via the Trust’s website at: www.cityofwinchestertrust.

co.uk.

Please make sure you include the building, its address, the category, plus your name and contact details with the nomination. All who nominate a building will be entered into a prize draw to win some fantastic donated prizes, including tickets to local attractions.

Details of the most nominated buildings and how to vote for your favourite will be available after nominations close on April 8.

Nominate the building you love in Winchester, and it might just win a Heart of the City award!

The City of Winchester Trust was set up in 1957 as the Winchester Preservation Trust, in response to the wholesale destruction of the historic ‘Brooks’ area of the city.

It has a current membership of about 750, and is based in Upper Brook Street.

Its aim is to preserve the distinctive and evolving character of the city, by seeking to influence the decisions of both city and county councils, and the proposals of developers. Find out more about the City of Winchester Trust at www.cwt.hampshire.org.uk.