TOWNSFOLK have been given an extra week to submit their nominations for new awards that have been set up to celebrate achievement in Bromsgrove.

The district council’s new Spirit of Bromsgrove Awards have been established to celebrate sporting, arts and community achievements of residents in the past 12 months.

Categories include sports personality, coach, and club of the year; outstanding individuals and organisations in arts, and community volunteers of the year.

Nominations were originally requested to be submitted by Sunday, January 12, but this deadline has now been extended to midnight on Sunday, January 19.

A shortlist of nominees in each category will be determined by a panel, and they will then be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the Artrix Theatre.

At the ceremony, being held on Tuesday, February 25, the winners will be revealed.

Huw Moseley, arts development and events officer for Bromsgrove District Council, said: “The festive period is now over but often this time of year leaves us thinking about changes we can make to improve our lives, help others, make changes and start afresh.

"If you know someone who succeeded in doing this during 2013, we want to know about it.

"These new awards will allow us to discover and celebrate the people that make up the spirit of Bromsgrove so make use of the extra week and get nominating.”

Nominations can also be submitted at bromsgrove.gov.uk/spiritofbromsgroveawards.

For more details call the council's sport development team on 01527 881289 or email sd@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk.

Bromsgrove District Council is also holding a free workshop to support sports clubs and organisations.

As part of the next Bromsgrove Sports Forum, Sport England’s Club leaders will be delivering a free workshop around business essentials designed specifically for sports clubs.

The workshop will cover what a business plan is and why it is useful to have one.

It will consider who should be involved in creating it, how to develop a plan using a simple framework, practical advice on what to include, how to structure it and pitfalls to avoid and examples of business plans other clubs have created and used with success.

Councillor Mike Webb, whose portfolio covers leisure, said: “As a business man myself, I know how important it is to have a business plan.

"However, making a good plan can be a tricky process and this workshop will provide useful tips and advice for our local clubs.”

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 11, in the Council Chamber at Bromsgrove Council House from 6pm until 8pm.

To confirm attendance call the council's sport development team on 01527 881289 or email sd@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk. The deadline to confirm a place is Tuesday, February 4.

• The district council is also celebrating the annual lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) month.

Normally celebrated throughout the month of February this year the celebrations are starting early with a special showings of Blue is the Warmest Colour on January 14 and 16, and Kill Your Darlings on January 26 and 28.

Both will be shown at the Artrix Centre, in School Drive.

For more details go to the council’s website or contact Fiona Scott on 01527 881719.