THE search is on to find Essex's 'young person of the year'.
The 'Yopey' honour is awarded every year to someone who has given something back to their local community, with a top prize of £1,000.
Last year's winner, Damion Chadwick from Canvey Island, impressed the judges by "turning his life around" after being excluded from school and fund-raising for his local Air Cadets group.
Nominations can be sent via the Yopey website at yopey.org or by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: Young People of the Year, PO Box 103, Hare Street, Ware, SG9 OXD.
Individuals can nominate themselves.
The search for 2010’s Essex Young Person of the Year will last for six months and he or she, or a group of young people, will be revealed at an awards ceremony in the county next spring.
The event is sponsored by Essex Police.
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