WHAT do the Hiscox building, York Art Gallery, the Your Bike Shed cycle café in Micklegate and Walmgate Bar have in common?

They've all won prestigious York Design Awards, that's what.

Tomorrow is the final deadline for entries to this year's awards.

So if you think your new office, city centre flat or historic conversion is something special, why not get your entry in now?

The Awards, held each year, aim to recognise the very best in new building design in York - as well as conservation projects and public space design.

There are eight categories, covering everything from major commercial developments and public projects such as the art gallery refurbishment or new school buildings to small home extensions. The only requirement is that they be done with flair - and that they add something to York's building heritage.

Each year, a panel of four judges - all distinguished architects - visit every single entry, before deciding on the winners.

There is also a separate category - The Press People's Sward - in which readers of The Press choose their overall favourite.

Janet Hopton, Chair of the York Design Awards, said the standard of entries so far this year was incredibly high.

"We've received some fantastic applications," she said. "If they are anything to go by, then judging the awards certainly won't be an easy task. The judges could well be deliberating for some time."

To be eligible for entry, a scheme has to have been completed within the last three years, and to be within the City of York Council boundary.

The judging panel this year is led again by Julian Bicknell of London-based architects Julian Bicknell & Associates. The other judges are David Heath, chair of The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB); architect Nicky Rutt from Hawkins\Brown Architects; and Geoff Rich, managing partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.

Full details on the categories and how to enter the prestigious awards is available at yorkdesignawards.org.

Winners will be announced and presented with their awards at the presentation evening which takes place on Monday 26 June at York Racecourse.