UNSUNG heroes in Ryedale have been shortlisted in a county-wide community awards scheme.

North Yorkshire County Council has unveiled the finalists for the annual event, which celebrates voluntary work across the area.

Community groups and individuals across Ryedale are in the running in a number of categories, which include best community project, best community group, volunteer of the year and the young people volunteering award.

One of the shortlisted groups in the best community project category is the Musical Memories Community Interest Company.

This group provides social singing sessions for older people living in rural communities in Ryedale, helping them to combat isolation and loneliness and improve health and wellbeing.

The district is also represented in the best community group category with Helmsley in Business, a group which organises a range of activities and events in Helmsley to bring the community together and support local businesses.

Shortlisted in the young people volunteering award is Joseph Banks from Huttons Ambo.

Joseph initiated a local youth club, consulting young people in the area and working with the village hall committee to get a club up and running.

Judging is now taking place to identify three finalists from each of the four categories.

Councillor Val Arnold, chairman of the county council, said: "The awards demonstrate the valuable contribution so many people make to helping and supporting North Yorkshire’s residents of all ages.

"It was not an easy task to select a shortlist and the entries show how much hard work is put into helping communities in North Yorkshire.

"There are hundreds of dedicated volunteers serving our many communities demonstrating a wealth of skills and caring to the benefit of those less fortunate and they deserve to receive our thanks."

The winner of each category will be awarded £1,000 for the relevant project, group or, in the case of the volunteer awards, nominated local charity. Two runners-up in each category will receive £250.

All finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony at the North Yorkshire Wider Partnership Conference on Friday, October 21.