Awards recognising the best of Andover’s residents are set to be launched next month as the hunt for the town’s crème de la crème is soon to begin.

The Pride of Andover Awards for 2021 will be launched on Saturday, June 26 in the Chantry Centre, as a variety of businesses and individuals kick off the commemoration which will recognise two years worth of candidates after being postponed last year.

Karen Hamilton, the chair of the Pride of Andover Awards committee, said of this year’s Awards: “2021 marks the 15th year of the Pride of Andover Awards. The generosity our sponsors have shown us during this milestone year has been truly incredible; without the support of our sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate our town’s unsung heroes.”

The awards were launched in 2007, and have the stated aim “to shed light on the town’s unsung heroes - endorsing the inspiring and often selfless actions of Andover’s most generous individuals promoting a sense of pride in our unique north Hampshire town.

“The Pride of Andover Awards honours the town’s exceptional unsung heroes – recognising the inspiring and often selfless actions of Andover’s most generous individuals, the people who make such a big difference to so many lives but who are so often ‘just getting on with it’.”

Following the awards being postponed last year, nominations for the 2020 awards will be considered alongside those for 2021, with nominations opening this year on July 1, and closing on August 31.

More awards than ever before, 11, will be handed out at this year’s ceremony, including the top prize, The Spirit of Andover Award, as well as Young Person of the Year, Inspiring Others Award and Community Champion Award.

Businesses including David Mellor Family Jewellers, Ocado and The Rockhouse have sponsored the awards to recognise those who go above and beyond for the people of Andover.

This year’s awards will be hosted by Channel 4 star Jordan Wylie, who will host for the first time and follow in the footsteps of Katie Piper, Dame Esther Rantzen and Sally Taylor MBE.

For more information, visit: www.prideofandoverawards.org.uk/