THE big countdown is on!

In just over a week the News & Star, The Mail, The Cumberland News, The Westmorland Gazette, the Times & Star, The Whitehaven News and the Cumberland and Westmorland Gazette will crown all the people who help make Cumbria the amazing place it is.

The Pride of Cumbria Awards will be the county's biggest ever event celebrating community heroes from all walks of life.

Nominations were received in their thousands, as readers put forward or the people and organisations who have helped them through a year like no other.

The awards have replaced three similar events - the West Cumbria, South Cumbria and Carlisle Community Heroes Awards.

Vanessa Sims, editor of News & Star, The Mail, The Cumberland News, The Westmorland Gazette, the Times & Star, The Whitehaven News and the Cumberland and Westmorland Gazette, said: “The coronavirus pandemic turned the world upside down.

“But in every corner of Cumbria extraordinary people have gone the extra mile to help the communities around them.

"We cannot thank our readers enough for sharing their thousands of nominations. It was no easy decision for our judges.

“We've seen examples of exceptionally selfless NHS workers, caring businesses, community volunteers, and helpful neighbours.

“These new Pride of Cumbria Awards will celebrate the very people who make our county a great place to live, work and play.

“This event is our chance to say thank you and show them what they mean to us. Make sure you tune in to see if your nominations take home an award."

David Beeby, the high sheriff of Cumbria, said: “It is really great to see these awards being run this year.

“Community champions are welcome at any time and they have been especially important in this last year.

“This is a great opportunity to turn the spotlight on some of the amazing community champions in Cumbria and show them how much they are appreciated.

“We can never thank them enough.”

To find our who you voted the Pride of Cumbria tune in to our virtual event on July 29 at 7pm by clicking here.