A NEW awards scheme to honour those who go beyond the call of duty to serve the Colchester community is gathering pace.

Colchester Trinity Rotary Club and the Gazette launched the awards a month ago and we’ve been hearing of people who make a real difference to the lives of others.

The awards are part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the club and aim to say thank you to the often-anonymous volunteers who are the backbone of the borough.

Staff at The Lemon Tree, one of our eight sponsors, are supporting the category which recognises adults who give outstanding help to an individual.

It could be a person who helps someone with their shopping, drives them to a hospital appointment or tends to an elderly neighbour.

Patrik and Jo Minder, owners of The Lemon Tree Bistro Deluxe, said: "We hope these awards will give those people their time in the spotlight as a thank you from everyone who benefits from their efforts.

"Let’s celebrate what is great about Colchester!"

Other categories cover work carried out by children and young people, charities and volunteer organisations.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Headgate Theatre in June where they will receive a Rotary Fellowship Award - the highest award the Rotary can give anyone in the community - as well as Lion Walk shopping vouchers and an engraved silver salver.

The deadline for entries is March 1 and nominations can be made by post or downloading the application form from http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/community_awards/entry_form/