HARD-working deliverers of The Press are to be recognised in a new competition.

York’s Newspaper Deliverer of the Year awards have been launched and we need you to tell us if your distributor deserves to win.

Readers are being asked to nominate deliverers, who show exceptional dedication, politeness or go the extra mile while they are delivering The Press in York, North and East Yorkshire.

To nominate your deliverer, fill in the form on the right of this page and send it to the freepost address on the nomination form before February 12.

A panel of judges will then review the nominations and choose the winner.

Further details of prizes and sponsorship will be announced in the coming days.

Steve Hughes, managing editor of The Press, said it was important to recognise the people who are the link between the effort that goes into the newspaper and the reader.

He said: “We realise our newspaper deliverers do a very important job so we want to recognise all their hard work and dedication, delivering our newspapers throughout the year, whatever the weather.”

More than 170 readers have already nominated their deliverer since yesterday, when newsagents started asking customers for nominations.

Kayleigh Zurek, of Moorway, Huntington, is one of the deliverers who has already received an influx of nominations.

They described her as pleasant, friendly, reliable and polite, and have praised her for her smile.

The 15-year-old has been delivering The Press for just over two years, and said she enjoyed getting out and about and talking to people. “I really enjoy delivering the papers, especially when it’s on nice and warm days and the people I deliver them to are outside and I can talk to them.

“It’s not so good when it’s bad weather, but the customers invite me inside for a chat while they get the money to pay.”

Kayleigh said she was proud to be nominated for the competition.

She said: “I think it’s lovely. I’m really happy, and they’re such lovely customers that I deliver to.

“I have really long conversations with them and it’s nice to talk to them.”