UNSUNG heroes who go the extra mile for others are being sought from an East Lancashire town by its first citizen.

Coun Mark Jinkinson, Padiham’s town mayor, has launched the hunt for selfless souls who ‘bring the community together’.

Five distinctions have been devised as part of the Padiham’s Finest Awards, the first of their kind for the town, which Coun Jinkinson is promoting with his mayoress and wife Denise.

He said: “We believe that now, more than ever, in these uncertain times, that it is important to feel that we are part of a community who can support each other when life gets tough.

“Within any community there are some people who go beyond the normal day-to-day dealings with their friends and neighbours, and show a particular ability to help others or, despite setbacks, better themselves.

“This is why the mayoress and I decided to launch the Padiham’s Finest Awards.

“The idea of the awards is to recognise and celebrate the contribution that certain special individuals have made within our community.”

Nominations are being requested in a range of different categories before the end of March, to Mr Jinkinson’s optometrists in Burnley Road, Padiham.

The mayor is looking for the Carer of the Year, Unsung Hero, Good Neighbour, Young Person and Community Service awards.

An awards ceremony will then be scheduled, for later in the year, where winners can expect to receive gift vouchers, trophy and certificate.