THIS man helps ensure youngsters are safe - and now he's the latest entry in the Person Of The Year category of our 2007 Community Pride awards.

Alan Smith, 72, of Acaster Malbis, near Copmanthorpe, has been nominated for decades of community work.

He was so good at what he did voluntarily for 33 years - training people to safely handle dogs around roads - that City of York Council recruited him for its cycling proficiency team.

Alan now visits schools to teach youngsters cycling safety and ensure instructors comply with national standards.

His son, Nigel, said: "My father has put a lot into the community, and I thought it would be nice for him to be recognised."

Alan, pictured above with children from St George's RC Primary School in York, said he liked to feel he was being useful. "I'm old enough now to just pack it in, but I'd miss it such a lot - it's very rewarding seeing children cycle safely."

There is still time to nominate unsung heroes from our local community - just fill in the coupon, below. Send us a (non-returnable) picture of your nominee if possible, plus any other useful information (no more than two sides of A4 paper, also non-returnable).

You can download nomination forms via the link below.

Local businesses seeking to support the awards can phone Nigel Briggs on 01904 567168, or email nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk