Athletes and sports clubs around Oxfordshire are being urged to nominate people for annual awards to recognise sporting achievement.

The Oxfordshire Sports Awards recognise up-and-coming talent, teams, individual athletes and unsung heroes.

This is the third year of the awards, which are organised by the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership. There are 12 categories for nominations.

Partnership chairman Roger Cowdrey said: "So far we have discovered some fantastic talent and commitment in the county.

"But we know there are many more people out there who are achieving outstanding results or dedicating much of their time to developing sports clubs and sport talent.

"We need nominations so we can showcase these people — it is our chance to say congratulations and thank you."

The closing date for nominations is Sunday.

Forms are available online at oxfordshiresport.org, or call 01865 467236 to get one posted.

The 12 categories are: Club of the Year, Coach of the Year, Disabled Sportsperson of the Year, Extreme Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Sports Team of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Unsung Hero, Sports Team of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Unsung Hero and Veteran Sportsperson of the Year.

Previous award winners include Paralympic swimmer Danielle Watts, from Wheatley, Oxford's Olympic triple jumper Nathan Douglas, and Moto GP motorbike racer Bradley Smith, from Forest Hill.

A shortlist of three people — judged by a panel of committee members from the partnership — will be announced for each award by October 10.

Organiser Amie Hill, said: "At last year's event we had more than 200 people turn up and it was a really fantastic night.

"All the winners and nominees turned up.

"It's a great night and a celebration of community involvement.

"Not just for those people that have been at the Olympics, but those that have shown huge amounts of effort over the past year and deserve recognition."