A GREEN-fingered volunteer could be in line for a prize in The Press's community awards - after receiving a double nomination.

John Cossham, of Hull Road, has been put forward for the Volunteer Of The Year title in the York Community Pride Awards, which we run in conjunction with City of York Council.

Mr Cossham, 39, was nominated in recognition of his wide-ranging voluntary work in the city. He formed the environmental composting group York Rotters in 2004; was one of the early members of the exchange group, York Local Exchange Trading System (LETS); has worked with the Alternatives To Violence Project; and has long worked for the establishment of a credit union in the city.

He was nominated by his wife, Gillian, and staff at Country Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in Heslington Road.

Mrs Cossham wrote: "I don't know how ethical it is for me to nominate my husband, but he does a lot of volunteering and I am very proud of his hard work."

Mr Cossham said: "I am pleased to accept the nomination if it means more information goes out to the public about composting and behaving more sustainably.

Mr Cossham was the sixth member of York LETS - an organisation in which members trade goods or services for the group's currency, Yorkys.

He has also been a management group member of AVP York for about a decade, helping people resolve issues relating to violence. In 2004 he founded York Rotters, which encourages home composting. The group recently received backing from City of York Council, enabling them to continue for a second year.

"I am very passionate about green issues and think they're very important", he said.

To nominate your community heroes, fill in this entry form, remembering to include the category to which you are nomination applies, 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 later this year.

We also still need sponsors for our awards.

For more information on sponsoring an award category, phone Nigel Briggs at The Press on 01904 567168, or email nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 09:11 Tuesday, April 25, 2006