A POST Office and a hair salon are two of the York businesses to be considered for a top honour in the Evening Press awards scheme.

Staff at Heworth Post Office, in East Parade, and Pat Caulfield's Hair Salon, in Low Petergate, have been nominated for the Service With A Smile title in the York Community Pride Awards.

The award recognises local businesses or organisations which demonstrate outstanding customer care.

Heworth Post Office was nominated by local resident Joy Crawshaw.

She said: "The staff are incredibly good and patient with everyone. They are very friendly and very helpful with all the people who come in, especially with the elderly."

Sub-postmaster Kenneth Slee was delighted to hear the staff had been nominated.

He said: "We do make every effort to give the best we can at all times, and it's nice to be put forward. We are very grateful for the customer support that we get as well."

Mr Slee has been at Heworth for three years, but has a total of 20 years' experience in post offices.

Meanwhile, Pat Caulfield's Hair Salon was nominated by customer Ellen Willey.

In her supporting statement, she wrote: "All the staff at Caulfield's treat their clients as if they are special. Nothing is too much trouble.

"You get a genuine welcome and superb attention. Sarah Williamson, the owner, is always willing to give advice and ensures we have some refreshment.

"I always look forward to my appointments and to having a chat with the staff, and am just made to feel very special."

Claire Sutcliffe, deputy manager at the salon, said: "We are very proud to be nominated. Customer service is very important to us."

We are still looking for nominations for our awards. To nominate your community heroes, fill in the entry form, remembering to include the category for which you are entering, and giving reasons on no more than two sides of A4.

Our judges will select three finalists in each category, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony later this year.

We also still need sponsors for our awards.

For more information on sponsoring an award category, phone Nigel Briggs at the Evening Press on 01904 567168, or email nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk.