Today the Evening Press announces the finalists in our York Community Pride awards - our campaign to unearth York's true local heroes.

Since April, we have been asking for your nominations for the people you think deserve recognition for their outstanding contribution to life in our city.

Over the past few months, we have received a wealth of entries about people from all walks of life. We have heard about young children showing astonishing bravery in battling cancer; teenagers who have given up their spare time to take part in valuable community projects; unsung volunteers who have devoted years to their favourite local charity or care group - and tireless health service workers who have gone beyond the call of duty in caring for their patients.

Our campaign has not been all about individual people.

Local shops which have demonstrated outstanding customer care have also been recognised in our awards - and a worthy three finalists have been found.

Now our panel of judges has examined carefully all the nomination forms and supporting statements that you sent to us with reasons why you thought your chosen hero should win one of our coveted awards.

They have come up with a list of three finalists who have been shortlisted in each category.

Energetic teenager Ashley Mason is one of the three young people our judges chose in the Spirit of Youth category - which aims to find the young person who has made the best positive contribution to their peers, school or community.

Ashley, 15, was nominated by four separate people for his enthusiastic commitment to several local groups, including York Youth Parliament.

That is despite the fact that he suffers from a visual impairment.

Meanwhile, street sweeping star Paul Willey has been nominated by the council's city centre manager, Paul Barrett, in our Public Sector Hero category.

Paul, who has been working for the council for several years, leads a team of cleaners who are responsible for keeping the city's streets spotless.

Mr Barrett said: "Paul seems to work 25 hours a day, eight days a week, and nothing is too much trouble for him."

The winners of our awards will be announced at a special ceremony on October 20.

Spirit of Youth

Ashley Mason; Katie Smurthwaite; Kelly Cronin

Public Sector Hero

Paul Willey; Joanne Weller; Sylvia Good

Charity Fundraiser of the Year

Major Adrian Clewlow; Derrick Lund; Annie Greenwood

Child of the Year

Louis Connell; Joseph Powell; Kayleigh Nicholson

Volunteer of the Year

Paul Cooper; Nancy Spratt; Dorothy Broadhead

Health Service Hero

Alison MacDonald; Ellen Willey; Dr Stuart Calder

Sporting Hero

Albert Pattison; Terry Haw; Lawrence Cussons

York Community Pride Person of the Year

Professor Andy Smith; Stuart Wilson; Griselda Goldsbrough

Service with a Smile

Up And Running; Cycle Heaven; Lo's Pharmacy

Best Community Project

Young Friends of Rowntree Park; The Friends of Hob Moor; Low Moor Allotments Association

Best Primary School Project

Tang Hall Primary School; Dringhouses Primary School; St Lawrence's C of E Primary School

Best Senior School Project

Manor CE School; St Peter's School; The Mount School

Updated: 10:30 Wednesday, August 17, 2005