The closing date to nominate worthy candidates for Freedom of the Borough, is fast approaching.

The awards to mark the millennium have been set up to recognise local people from all walks of life who have made an outstanding contribution to some aspect of life in the borough.

A Southend Council spokesman said: "The aim is to find the unsung heroes and heroines who have done something to make Southend that little bit better and who deserve the once-in-a-lifetime recognition."

All the nominations for the millennium roll of honour will be judged by a panel of councillors who will single out up to 20 people.

The chosen few will then be invited to a freedom award ceremony where they will receive a specially commissioned medal and scroll.

Nominations must be for individuals but they can represent clubs, groups, churches or uniformed organisations.

The spokesman said: "No achievement is too large or too small as each nomination will be judged on individual merit."

Councillor Graham Longley, chairman of the millennium roll of honour working party, said: "This is the highest accolade that can be awarded by Southend Council and to be included on the millennium roll of honour will be an extra special way to mark the new millennium.

"We hope many people will put their thinking caps on and help the council to say thank you to some of our citizens who have done so much for our town."

Nomination forms are available from the chief executive and town clerk's department at the council offices in Victoria Avenue, Southend.

All forms must be returned to the council by January 31 at the latest.

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