DEDICATED public sector staff should be honoured for their work, a top council boss has said.

Residents in York are being urged to nominate their unsung heroes for recognition in the eighth annual Community Pride Awards.

The event is run by The Press, and sponsored and supported by City of York Council, who will once again sponsor the Public Sector Hero award.

Last year’s Public Sector Hero was retired police officer Gordon Keenan, who was described as “an outstanding citizen of York”, who also worked as the city’s coroner’s officer.

Sally Burns, director of communities and neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “As a representative of the council I feel incredibly honoured to be a part of this year’s Community Pride awards.

“This year the council is supporting the Public Sector Hero category, which is an opportunity to personally thank those who are nominated for their hard work and dedication to public sector services.

“It’s also a chance to thank all public sector workers in York, whether they are police officers, like Gordon Keenan, who won last year’s award, or anyone who plays a huge part in helping to support these services and the people who use them on a daily basis. Last year I had the privilege of meeting some truly inspirational people, so I’m really looking forward to representing the council in what is expected to be a night that York residents can really be proud of.”

All nominees must live or be based in the City of York Council tax area, and the winners will be invited to an awards ceremony in October.