NOMINATIONS to name a city bus after a Southampton Covid hero are set to close this weekend.

Nominations for the Southampton’s Covid Heroes - with an overall winner set to be honoured in a bus naming ceremony - are set to close this Sunday.

Bluestar launched a campaign. designed to recognise the mammoth efforts of key workers and community heroes during the coronavirus pandemic, at the beginning of 2021.

So far, the bus operator has been overwhelmed by the response from local people.

“We have been providing transport throughout the three lockdowns, for those who play vital roles within the local community. And now we want to honour these ‘Covid Heroes’ in a bus naming ceremony,” said Bluestar managing director, Andrew Wickham.

“The Prime Minister has now presented his roadmap to easing lockdown, and we’re all looking forward to a time when those living on or visiting Southampton can travel with us for leisure purposes, as well as for work.

“For now, my colleagues - who are themselves keyworkers - will continue ensuring NHS staff, supermarket staff, postal workers, carers and teachers can travel. And we are looking forward to recognising the winner of our ‘Covid Heroes’ campaign by displaying their name on one of our buses.”

Bluestar has so far received 50 nominations for worthy key workers and volunteers - and the deadline is fast approaching.

“We are closing nominations on Sunday 28 February, so I urge anyone who knows of a Covid Hero in their area to get in touch with us soon via bluestarbus.co.uk," added Andrew.

The winner’s name will appear on a Bluestar bus for 12 months.