NOMINATIONS are now open for Devon County Council’s Annual Community Transport Awards to honour those who have gone the extra mile for passengers.

In its 17th year and sponsored by the G M Coachwork Group, of Trusham, the awards recognise the outstanding service and dedication made by people involved in community transport across the county.

Nomination forms are available from the county council and must be submitted by the closing date of Friday, April 22.

Names of anyone working or volunteering in the community transport sector can be put forward by passengers, staff or volunteers, and there are various categories.

Community transport groups can be nominated in the category for Best Contribution to the Local Community, sponsored by Pollards Printers.

There are awards for volunteer drivers involved in the voluntary car scheme and, in the community minibus scheme, there are awards for volunteer minibus drivers and volunteer enablers (fundraisers, committee members and administrators, etc).

A judging panel will present an additional award to one of the individual volunteer award winners that it considers has made an outstanding contribution to Community Transport in Devon during the past year.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, county council cabinet member with responsibility for community transport, said the services relied on hundreds of volunteers and staff across Devon and each played an important role in keeping the services running.

‘The awards are a perfect way to say thank you to them and honour their dedication and commitment,’ he said.

Successful nominees and their proposer will be invited to a civic reception in Exeter on Thursday, May 26.

Nomination forms are available online at www. journeydevon.info/2016-awards or by emailing comtrans@ devon.gov.uk or by phoning Devon County Council’s Community Transport team on 01392 382123.

Completed forms should be emailed to: [email protected] or printed and sent to: Community Transport, Devon County Council, M18 Matford Offices, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD.