PEOPLE who have made a difference during the pandemic will be recognised as heroes by the Mayor of Winchester.

Cllr Patrick Cunningham is asking residents to nominate those who have played their part in helping the local community.

Together with the leader of winchester city council, Cllr Lucille Thompson and chief executive Laura Taylor, he will chose the best people and community groups for an award.

Mayor Cunningham said: "The past six months have been some of the most challenging globally for more than half a century. Throughout we have seen local people making sacrifices to help others in their community and during the very worst of times, we have seen the very best in human nature.

"These awards are just a small token of our appreciation to all those individuals and businesses and our chance to say thank you to our local heroes.

"We know there are so many people in the district who have shown us what true community spirit really is and I am proud to be able to celebrate this with a public gesture of recognition on behalf of Winchester City Council."

Nominees must have:

• lead or volunteered with a community group to ensure that residents in your neighbourhood have been able to receive essential items?

• created a voluntary group to help local residents and businesses through lockdown?

• adapted a business to serve a local community?

• befriended residents who are shielding to provide comfort whilst often being alone?

• shopped and collected prescriptions for their neighbours?

Complete a nomination form by searching ‘local hero nomination form’ at winchester.gov.uk.