St Albans’ leading community paper, the Herts Advertiser, will be turning 160 this year and is looking for inspirational do-gooders to help make its birthday celebrations even more memorable.

Together with sponsors, The Maltings Shopping Centre, the paper is launching its Community Awards to honour people from all walks of life, who do some good for the city, while celebrating having served the St Albans and Harpenden district since 1855.

The campaign, which will run for three months, invites nominations from the public for 11 different categories.

These are Great and Green, Role Model of the Year, Charity Champions, Nurse/Care Worker of the Year, Good Neighbour, Service to the Community, Lifetime Achievement, Carer of the Year, Valiant Volunteer, Parent in a Million and Young Achiever.

Do you know a nurse who has gone beyond the call of duty or a neighbour who has gone the extra mile?

Or do you know someone young who has overcome adversity and gone on to great things or a parent who has provided unwavering support?

Winners will be selected by a judging panel and then invited to attend a lavish ceremony in September.

Editor of the Herts Advertiser, Matt Adams, said: “As the only newspaper based in St Albans, we’re always at the very heart of the local community, but the occasion of this landmark anniversary was just too good an opportunity to miss when it came to recognising those people who really make a difference in the district.

“This is a fantastic chance to honour their achievements while also highlighting the important role the Herts Advertiser has played in reporting on hundreds of other community champions over the past 160 years.”

The Maltings manager Phil Corrigan added: “We are always conscious of the fact that we are a big part of the community and we have always been involved in helping local organisations.

“There are nice people out there doing good things and it is only a right to give them a platform and help them raise awareness.”

All the criteria for each individual award can be found online at http://communityawards.hertsad.co.uk and nominations can be submitted until August 14. All winners of the Maltings Community Hero Awards are also put forward automatically.