A CELEBRATION to highlight excellence in communities across Sutton plans to go ahead virtually this year.

Sutton Community Awards 2020 will recognise the people who make Sutton a "great place to live, work and bring up a family."

Each year, Sutton's Community Awards recognise remarkable individuals and groups in Sutton. This year takes on an even more special theme of celebration and commemoration in light of the unprecedented challenges of coronavirus.

Awards will be given out in eight categories that cover outstanding individuals, volunteers, neighbours and community groups.

Councillor Trish Fivey, Mayor of Sutton said: “Under such unprecedented circumstances, it is so valuable to celebrate the efforts of people and organisations who have gone the extra mile over the last year.

Your Local Guardian:

"It is fantastic to see the Council, Sutton Housing Partnership, Volunteer Centre Sutton and Community Action Sutton come together to celebrate and commemorate this year. I am excited to see and hear some powerful stories and would encourage as many people as possible to get involved and nominate.”

The awards are open to everyone who lives, works, studies or volunteers in the borough.

Chief Executive of Community Action Sutton, Alison Navarro, says the awards provide an opportunity for Sutton to reflect on the importance of the voluntary and community sector.

She said: "This year more than ever, the essential role that the voluntary and community sector plays in listening to the challenges that local people face and working with them to provide the support needed will be recognised and celebrated.”

Nominations for 2020 will close at midnight on Sunday November1.

To find out more on the awards visit here.