SELFLESS volunteers, local stalwarts and community champions will take centre stage for an awards night which highlights the very best of Barrow. 

The red carpet will be rolled out when the annual Love Barrow Awards recognise the unsung heroes of the borough during a ceremony in The Forum tonight. 

Once again, the judges have been blown away by the standard of nominations and faced a humbling yet unenviable task of determining the shortlists and deciding the overall winners. 

This year there are 10 categories, plus the special Ambassador Award which will be presented to a surprise recipient whose efforts have made a huge impact on the Furness peninsula. 

In addition, the winner of the first ever Love Barrow People’s Choice Award will be revealed. 

The ceremony was created to recognise the local people and organisations that make a huge difference in our community. 

So it is fitting that the community itself has been asked to decide who it wants to take home the People’s Choice Award. 

The candidates were the 30 finalists from each of the 10 categories – and the public was invited to cast their vote by text message or online. Voting has already closed. 

John Irving, from the awards organising committee, said: "Everyone who is nominated are winners and the award evening is a celebration of all that is good in Furness.

"I have the privilege and honour to meet the most amazing people from the Furness area who face daily challenges or do remarkable things daily, for the good of family, friends or their community.

"I would like to thank everyone who has made this award evening possible and helped me create new and happy memories for our fantastic nominees."

If last year’s ceremony is anything to go by, then guests can expect another fantastic evening tonight. 

Make sure to follow our Twitter account at @NWEMlive for all the updates on the event throughout the night.

Read about all of the nominees:

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Morecambe Bay Partnership

Barrow Park keepers

Pat Denny

TRAINEE / APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Jake Newton

Jennifer Christie

Omar Echemata

COMMUNITY FOCUSED BUSINESS

Kidfest

Cheeky Monkeys Childcare

Deemon Performance Academy

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Mike Walsh

Ruth Squires

Craig Rutherford

CARER OF THE YEAR

Bev Dixon

Lee Winter

Janet Bury

SPORTS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

John Jefferson

Paul Kell

Colin Knight

COURAGE AWARD

Gill Tyson

Jo-ann Ellis

Diana Burns

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Katie Pugh

Ryan Bickle

Ellie Larsen

GROUP OF THE YEAR

Keswick to Barrow

Self-harm Awareness For All

Voce

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Irene Crabtree

Julie and Gavin Andrews

Joe Wardman

Read what is being said about the event on Twitter: