Star panel for Make A Difference Awards

Ed Daly, second from right, won the green category at last year's BBC Radio Stoke awards

An all-star panel of judges has been announced for this year's BBC Radio Stoke Make A Difference Awards.

Nominations across all eight categories close at 17:00 BST on Monday.

This year's judges include an Olympic gold medallist and a former Blue Peter presenter as well as a host of actors and TV stars. Among them The Great Pottery Throw Down presenter Keith Brymer Jones and They Think It's All Over's Nick Hancock.

The award ceremony will take place later this year at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent.

The full list of categories this year is:

• The Volunteer Award, judged by The Great Pottery Throw Down presenter Keith Brymer Jones, is awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.

• The Young Hero Award, judged by track and field athlete and sports presenter Jazmin Sawyers, will be awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.

• The Great Neighbour Award, judged by actor and TV presenter Nick Hancock, is awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work in, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.

• The Active Award, judged by trampoline gold medal-winning Olympian Bryony Page, awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community.

• The Animal Award, judged by former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner, is awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves people's lives or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals.

• The Green Award, judged by explorer, author, and documentary maker Levison Wood, which is awarded to an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local environment.

• The Fundraiser Award, judged by playwright and actor Deb McAndrew, is awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.

• The Community Group Award, judged by former SAS soldier Melvyn Downes, awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community.

A spokesperson for the station said: "We're so lucky in Staffordshire and Cheshire that they go above and beyond in their communities.

"Every year, we're inspired by their stories, and it's wonderful to be able to recognise just a few of them at this special occasion."

To nominate a winner, visit the BBC's Make A Difference pages online. Shortlisted finalists will be notified from June 2025.

The 2024 award ceremony was held at Port Vale Football Club