A REGIONAL competition aiming to showcase the heroes across Essex is to return in-person next month for the first time in three years.

Founded in 1993, the Pride of Essex awards have celebrated the county’s unsung heroes and volunteers for nearly 30 years.

Nominations are open to both children and adults who may also have had to overcome adversity during the past year.

The competition organises are now inviting nominations over the next three weeks.

Entries are set to close on Friday, September 16, with the winners of each category announced in November at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.

The Pride of Essex Awards, which were formerly known as the Essex Achievement Awards, have seven categories.

The main award is known as the Pride of Essex, with the other six categories named the Child of Courage Award, Community Champion Award, Unsung Hero Award, Inspirational Youth Award and Top Team.

Last year, Colchester’s James Taverner and Dan Norkett were highly commended in the Top Team category for their efforts in setting up Goodgym, which focusses on getting people active by having them do good deeds.

Nominations can be made free of charge via www.prideofessexawards.org.uk, and nomination forms can be requested by emailing head.office@directa.co.uk.