IT'S time to honour Cumbria's heroes of the floods - and we need YOU to tell us who yours are.

Today, we launch our #SpiritofCumbria Awards to recognise and thank those who gave us their all when we needed them most.

To do that, we'd like you to tell us who your heroes are and why they deserve recognition.

Never before has there been a county-wide response like there was when Storm Desmond caused devastation across the county in December.

People rallied to help those in need, joining rescue, response and recovery teams to help those trapped in or being forced to flee their homes as floodwaters rose.

Emergency services worked around the clock to help the stricken, volunteers manned emergency response centres, collected clothes, organised food donations, mass clean-ups and fundraisers to help those left with nothing.

Many even put aside the fact that their own homes were flooding to help others.

The response and Cumbria's determination not to be beaten by all that the elements could throw at the county was nothing short of outstanding.

That #SpiritofCumbria - as it trended online as part of a hugely successful social media campaign to galvanise support for those affected by the disaster - drew praise from across the world.

It is that spirit and goodwill that we want to celebrate - as well as applauding the tremendous speed of the recovery that has been witnessed county-wide in the months that have followed the floods.

The #SpiritofCumbria Awards organised by CN Group, with the support of Sellafield Ltd and United Utilities, will thank all those who did so much to help so many. 

David Helliwell, CN Group's editorial director, said: "The way people responded to help neighbours, family, friends and strangers as the floods struck - and have continued to do so in the months since - has been outstanding.

"The stories we've reported on people's bravery, selflessness and determination really are inspirational.

"The world has seen what the spirit of Cumbria really is. These awards will celebrate that spirit and thank at least some of the countless people who richly deserve recognition for all they have done."

Sellafield Ltd is delighted to be supporting the awards. Head of socio-economics Helen Fisher said: "When adversity struck last December, our county proved once again that in difficult times we pull together and look after each other.

"Cumbria has an incredibly bright future as one of the world’s most beautiful, creative and friendly places to live and work.

"These awards will offer an opportunity to recognise the local heroes who emerged during those tough times and helped put us on the road to recovery."

To recognise those heroes, we're appealing for readers of The North West Evening Mail, The Cumberland News, Times & Star, Whitehaven News and News & Star to tell us who is worthy of special recognition.

The awards will be presented during a gala celebration to be held at Garden @ Eden, near Carlisle, on Friday, July 1.