TWO community champions have been recognised for their selflessness by being nominated to be at the heart of a town's festive celebrations.

Carl Molyneux, who turned his life around when he helped set up the Well Project, has been nominated to switch on the town's Christmas lights during this year's celebrations, as has the founder of Barrow Soup Kitchen, Sharon Foden.

Mr Molyneux spent much of his teenage years in and out of institutions but has become a celebrated member of the community for the work he does with substance abusers.

The Well project, based in Paradise Street, Barrow, has 21 beds and delivers housing projects, recovery programmes and social events all geared at maximising long-term recovery for former addicts.

Cadas and The Well recently secured hefty investment from the Big Lottery fund to the tune of nearly £500,000.

Sharon Foden was nominated for her dedication to helping the needy and constant support she offers through her volunteer work.

Her work at Barrow Community Kitchen in Abbey Road is much appreciated and the "lovely lady" has helped to ensure the place is somewhere where people can meet others and enjoy home cooked food.

As part of Barrow's festive celebrations, there will be a Christmas party with a whole range of entertainment in Town Square from 3pm on November 19 with talented local entertainers set to wow the crowds with colourful displays.

As part of the extravaganza, the North-West Evening Mail is running a contest to find an inspirational member of the Barrow community to switch on the town's Christmas lights.

People can nominate their community heroes within Barrow borough until November 9 which is the deadline for entries.

A panel of judges will then assess all the entries before they decide on a worthy winner.

If you would like to put someone forward, go to our website, www.nwemail.co.uk or write to the Evening Mail with the name and contact details of the nominator as well as the name, age and contact details for the person you wish to nominate.

You must also include a summary of why the person deserves to win.

This can then be sent to Switch-on Star, North-West Evening Mail, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5QS.