YORK street cleaner Kenny Gallimore is a real-life community hero according to the woman who nominated him for a Community Pride Award.

Father of six, Kenny, from Wycliffe Avenue, Tang Hall, has worked for City of York Council for 11 years keeping the streets clean and tidy.

Now he has been nominated for an award by a woman who has never even met him.

Ruth Sherratt, from Heworth, used to work in customer complaints at the council and says even regular complainants would always mention Kenny's name with respect.

She said: "Kenny now works in the Heworth area where I live and the streets are immaculate.

"Having spoken to Kenny's supervisors, they tell me he is rather shy and speak of somebody who customers value for constantly going the extra mile. I have nominated Kenny - who I have never actually met - because he represents the very best of the public service ethos quietly doing a better than good job and representing the organisation he works for with pride."

Kenny said: "I feel honoured to be nominated for this award - it's the first one I've been nominated for anything like this and it's really nice to know people appreciate you."

To nominate your community heroes, fill in the entry form on this page, remembering to include the category for which you are entering, and giving reasons on no more than two sides of A4. Our judges will select three finalists in each category, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on December 1.

Updated: 09:09 Friday, August 06, 2004