PREMIER Tony Blair has stamped his seal of approval on the York Community Pride Awards.

In a letter to Evening Press editor, Kevin Booth, the Prime Minister said he was delighted to offer his "personal support" to the awards, which are run in conjunction with City of York Council.

He said: "What makes this initiative so worthwhile is that by deservedly recognising some of this area's unsung heroes and heroines, it will also encourage others to follow their example and give more back to this community."

Over the past few months we have had masses of entries for the 11 award categories.

They celebrated the contributions of those whose community spirit has made a difference in York. Entrants include young and old individuals, voluntary organisations and groups from both the public and private sector.

In the Spirit Of Youth category for youngsters aged 13 to 17, Steven Gregson, 14, from Stockton-on-the-Forest, 13-year-old Tom Jackson, from Clifton, York, and 17-year-old Roland Rollison, from Tang Hall, York, featured in the Press in July for their sporting achievements.

Wendy Barker, who runs Moly's Kitchen a youth caf in Dringhouses, York, said she was "humbled" to be nominated in the Best Community Project category.

In the Community Pride Person of the Year category Gordon Benton, of Upper Poppleton, was delighted to be nominated for the hours he has put in maintaining the village war memorial.

The deadline has now passed for ten of the 11 categories and we are no longer accepting entries.

The exception is the Best School Project, for which the deadline is October 8.

This was extended to allow schools time to submit their nominations after the summer holidays.

It is open to any school project completed before the end of September which has improved its surroundings or the environment.

Completed entry forms should be sent to Sky Ferrey, PA to the Editor, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

All the entries will be considered by an impartial panel of judges, the editor of the Evening Press and the chief executive of City of York Council.

They will narrow down the field and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony, at York Racecourse, on December 1.

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, September 09, 2004