THE search is on for the people, groups and organisations who make Basing-stoke a place to be proud of.

Last October saw the official launch of the A Place to be Proud of Awards for 2004-05 - an event that attracted a clutch of sponsors for the various categories.

Now, the push begins in earnest for entries to the awards, which celebrate individual and collective achievement in the town and borough.

Last year's inaugural A Place to be Proud of Awards event was one of the highlights of the borough year, and this year's promises to be an even more spectacular ceremony.

Awards are up for grabs in eight categories: Safe Community Healthy Community Learning Creativity Customer Service Sense Of Place Good Citizen People Of Our Time - three section: under-20s, 20 to 55s, 55s and over.

Individual and group awards will be presented in each category except for the Good Citizen and People Of Our Time sections.

More information on the people and organisations that are eligible for each category, and guidelines on how to enter, can be viewed and downloaded by going to the awards section of The Gazette's website at www.thisisbasingstoke.co.uk and clicking on the A Place to be Proud of section.

The guidelines and entry details can also be obtained from The Gazette's Church Street office from Monday to Friday during normal office opening hours.

The same information can also be obtained from the Information Desk in Festival Place or by visiting the Festival Place website at www.festivalplace.co.uk

Although the deadline for entries is not until April 15, people, groups and organisations are urged to get their entries in as soon as possible.

Judging will take place during May and - as happened last March - the event will culminate in a gala awards dinner and prize-giving ceremony in Festival Place on the evening of Tuesday, June 7.

As was the case with the inaugural event, the organisers of the 2004-05 awards are Gazette Newspapers, Festival Place, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the Local Strategic Partnership.

Calling for people and groups to get involved, Gazette Newspapers editor Mark Jones said: "The A Place to be Proud of Awards are a great way to celebrate success and the achievements of the people, groups and organisations that have made a real impact in the town and borough of Basingstoke and Deane.

"Basingstoke is a place to be proud of and this event, and the achievements of those who receive prizes, helps to raise the profile of the area.

"The awards have played a key part in promoting the many positive aspects of life in the town and borough and they play a key part in the ongoing efforts to challenge negative and outdated perceptions of Basingstoke."

Over the coming weeks and months, The Gazette, The Basingstoke Extra and our website will continue to keep readers updated on the progress of the awards.