Community Champions cancelled - but we will be back

The awards, which were due to take place later this year, will now be held in 2021.

The awards are a celebration of the unsung heroes of our communities and, therefore, we have decided to keep our entries live so you can continue to share your stories and nominate the people who deserve to be crowned a champion of our community

All nominations currently submitted for the event will stand and be carried over for the judges' future consideration.

Telegraph editor Brian Hossack says the decision is the right one for the event, sponsors, guests and nominees.

He said: "Everyone who has been to our Community Champions Awards knows what a fantastic night it is, and with social distancing restriction likely to remain in place for most if not all of this year, we didn't want to hold an evening that wasn't all it could be.

"Interaction and bringing people together are pivotal to the awards so we felt the correct thing to do was to postpone until we can stage the type of event everyone expects.

"Both myself and our events team feel it is the sensible decision and we are determined to make sure the event in 2021 is one to remember. Our awards are about honouring and celebrating the unsung heroes who go the extra mile to help their community. In these unprecedented times, it is has been our privilege to report on so many of these heroes over the past few weeks and we can’t wait to give them the recognition they so richly deserve at our awards ceremony next year.

"We are of course disappointed but nobody will miss out. If you have been nominated for an award, that will carry forward and be considered alongside all the others we look forward to reading. Nominations will stay open and I would encourage people to keep telling us about their local heroes meantime.

"Stay safe."

More details of next year's event, which will be at Greenock Town Hall, will be revealed closer to the date.

To nominate visit http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/greenockcommchamp/