A CALL has been made to community groups and members of the public to nominate projects for the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s 2014 awards scheme.

The annual awards scheme run by CPRE Gloucestershire celebrates outstanding projects which benefit the public and the environment in the county.

In 2012, Stroud District Council's ambitious canal restoration scheme was recognised, whilst in previous years, village stores, homes, museums, village halls and townscapes have all won awards.

Since the scheme was launched back in 2007, a total of 32 projects have been honoured for the benefits they bring to the environment, people and local communities.

The awards are not a competition but are instead intended to acknowledge the projects that enhance the social and economic life of Gloucestershire.

This year’s awards scheme was launched at the visitor centre and canal shop at Wallbridge Lock in Stroud.

Last year, for the first time, a major housing project received an award, alongside schemes for a new village hall, a small village housing scheme and wildlife ponds.

CPRE Gloucestershire’s chairman Charlie Watson, said: “These Awards celebrate projects both in the commercial and community sectors that provide examples for others to follow by setting quality standards to which all environmental change should aspire.”

Anyone can nominate a project for an award, whether it is their project or one they admire.

For full details, and information on all previous winners, visit the CPRE Gloucestershire website www.cpreglos.org.uk and click on the awards tab.

Award recipients will be announced at a special CPRE Gloucestershire event in October.