ONE of York's most famous businesses is throwing its weight behind The Press's Community Pride awards for the 11th year, and urging people to put inspirational young people forward for recognition.

Nestle has been part of the awards scheme to honour unsung heroes on the city since it began more than a decade ago, and this year is once again sponsoring the Spirit of Youth category.

The award recognises young people who make outstanding contributions to the community, and over the years has celebrated heartwarming stories of inspirational teenagers who put others before themselves and overcome tremendous personal challenges.

Nestle's Lesley Lee said the Community Pride awards are an important part of the company's work in York.

She said: "Nestle York are proud to support and be associated with the Community Pride awards.

"We have supported this for 11 years now and each year we have sponsored the Spirit of Youth award, recognising the fantastic work carried out in our local communities by young people.

"Each year we are amazed and impressed by the nominees and the dedicated work they do, giving up hours to help and improve the community they live in."

Last year, the award was given to a group of four girls from Joseph Rowntree School. Molly Horner, Lucy Freer, Megan Guest and Alison Coates became role models for their friends and peers and caught the imagination of the whole country by banding together to fight the negative body image messages teens often hear.

The four friends formed the Body Confidence team but their idea took off, and the girls were even invited onto Radio 4's Women's Hour before the Community Pride judges decided the girls' commitment and courage made them worthy winners of the Spirit of Youth award.

Now sponsors Nestle want to hear about more inspirational youngsters and are urging people to nominate the teenagers they know who deserve recognition for their attitude and achievements.

The award can go to anyone aged 13 to 18 inclusive, and is awarded for the best positive contribution to peers, their school or college, their community or the city in general.

All nominees for the Community Pride Awards must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area and three finalists in each category will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony in October.

For more information or to make a nomination online go to www.thepress.co.uk/pride.