Selfless souls who go above and beyond to raise funds for worthy causes are amongst those being nominated as heroes in their community.

The first ever Pirate FM Local Heroes Awards will be held in the Hotel Victoria in Newquay this April, recognising the hard work of Cornish residents.

Specific awards will be presented to the child demonstrating exceptional courage or achievement, the "good neighbour" of the year, and the person who has made a real contribution to tackling environmental issues.

In addition, the awards will heap praise on the teacher, carer, parent and boss who has best inspired those in their sphere.

One of the closest-fought awards will go to the Fundraiser of the Year, sponsored by the Western Morning News.

One nominee is wedding planner Sarah Gillett, who runs Perfect Preparation in Truro.

According to Sue Thomas, who nominated her, Mrs Gillett's energy for fundraising "knows no bounds."

Most recently she set up a wedding auction in aid of the Ella's Memory charity, which wants to overhaul the Daisy Suite at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, used by parents whose baby has died.

Mrs Gillett managed to get £9,000 worth of donations together for a dream wedding, which the winning couple would not otherwise have been able to afford.

Her nominator, Mrs Thomas, said the energetic fundraiser has also been responsible for organising her daughter's summer school fete and helped coordinate the Rotary club of Truro's recent Santa run.

She added: "For the last five years she has also been instrumental in getting all the auction prizes together for a May ball in Boscowan park – her energy for fundraising knows no bounds.

"Something takes her eye and she seems to take it to heart and run with it. I am particularly inspired by the work she has done towards Ella's Memory.

"Sarah has three small children of her own so is very busy with them, but still finds time to make a positive impact on the lives of others around her."

Pirate FM launched the awards after staff were struck by the number of inspirational stories the radio station had covered during 2010.

Managing director Beverley Warne said: "At Pirate FM we hear a lot of amazing stories about a lot of amazing people. People who have overcome the odds to achieve something great for themselves, for their family or for Cornwall as a whole."

The winners of the awards will be announced at a glittering evening event on Friday, April 15.

To vote in the awards, visit the website www.piratefm.co. uk/localheroawards.

One of the winners will also be crowned Overall Local Hero of the Year on the night.