Now is the time! to nominate a deserving young person for Leicestershire Lord Lieutenant's Young People Awards 2016 (10th Anniversary).

Nominations are open for a very, very special and inspiring young people, between the ages of 13-19 years old, from Leicestershire for the prestigious Lord Lieutenant's Young Person of the Year Awards 2016.

There can be no better event and occasion than the Leicestershire Lord Lieutenant's Young People Awards to recognise and celebrate the many inspirational qualities and talents of some many outstanding young people.

It all starts with someone very special who is willing to find the time to nominate a deserving young person. So go on make a difference, make a young person you know feel proud and nominate someone today! We are spoilt for choice because there are so many fine examples of what young people from Leicester and Leicestershire have achieved.

This year's awards once again includes: Young Artist of the Year (The Joe Humphries Memorial Award) to be given to a young person who has demonstrated real skill, innovation and expression in the following:

• Visual arts
• Expressive arts
• Literature
• Music

The short-listed young people will receive an invitation to the special Awards evening and Dinner in April 2016 and will receive prizes to the value of £500.

Other categories at the awards include;

• Young Braveheart of the Year
• Young Volunteer of the Year
• Young Voice of the Year
• Young Most Improved Sports Person of the Year
• Young Writer of the Year*

*This year, the special award in the fifth category will be given to a young writer who puts themselves in the place of a 16 year old recruit writing home to his mother while on his way to basic training in 1916. Further details of this last category are shown in a film which can be viewed via the awards website: www.leics.gov.uk/llawards

Lady Gretton said: "Every year I am impressed by the truly wonderful achievements of young people in Leicestershire and I'm sure this year will be no exception. Each year the Award has grown in profile and stature and I am very much looking forward to a memorable tenth anniversary Award.

"I am very much looking forward to hearing about what our nominees are doing and how they are inspiring the people around them. The highlight of these awards is the presentation ceremony, which is always a special event for everyone involved."

Online nominations open on 1 December 2015 and must be received by 31 January 2016 for the first four categories. The closing date for the Young Writer of the Year award is 12 February.

To find out more about the Lord-Lieutenant's Awards and to nominate a young person, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/llawards

Forms can also be requested by emailing lieutenancyoffice@leics.gov.uk or calling 0116 305 6053.