Shining stars of East Suffolk have been announced as finalists for community awards.

The top candidates in each category of the East Suffolk Awards have been invited to an awards ceremony to take place on February 28 at the Snape Maltings.

The East Suffolk Council-run awards were last staged in 2019. They are designed to celebrate excellence, innovation, community spirit and charity.

The council's leader, councillor Steve Gallant, said: “I’m excited to see such an impressive list of local businesses, groups and individuals making a positive difference to lives in East Suffolk.

“We received a lot of excellent applications highlighting many remarkable and inspiring achievements.

"It was a challenge to then reduce them down to a shortlist of final nominees.

“A huge congratulations to all finalists for their hard work and commitment over the last year – and thank you to our sponsors for helping to make the event happen.”

The candidates are: Team of the Year - Dora Brown, Inspire, Catering Team, Northfield St Nicholas Primary School; Health and Wellbeing - Dora Brown, Suffolk Mind, Unlock My Mind; New Business of the Year - The Good Dog, Nexus Ramps, Satsuma Group; Business Growth - Dolled Up, Pleasurewood Hills, Satsuma Group; Great Idea - Dora Brown; Sammy the Sea Squirt; St Philip’s Community Hub, Felixstowe.

The other finalists are: Green Impact - Andy Sutherland from Nexus Ramps, Litter-Free Felixstowe, Woodbridge Festival of Art and Music; Encouraging Tourism - Magnus PR, Pleasurewood Hills, Satsuma Group; Apprentice of the Year - Enamulah Safi, Elliot Cropley; High Street of the Year - Halesworth Town Centre, Leiston Community Land Trust; Community champion of the year - Barrie Hayter, Karen Prime, Tony Wright; Community of the year - Bealings Community Hub, Felixstowe, Kessingland, Levington and Stratton Hall. 

This year, there will also be a community ‘next big idea’ award to highlight originality in the development of a concept or campaign – with the winner receiving a grant to help achieve their dream scheme.

Mike Bowden, from award sponsors, Cory Brothers Shipping Agency, said the firm was delighted to help shine a light on excellence in Suffolk.