There are less than six weeks left before the Ely Hero Awards celebrate the best our city has to offer - so we caught up with some of those nominated.

Dozens of residents have been entering their neighbours, community leaders, colleagues and teachers across 10 categories to get them recognised for their acts of kindness.

Last week the judges met at The Poets House in Ely to shortlist and read stories and comments about the hard work the ‘heroes’ have done throughout the city.

Judge Kate Patterson, from the Thrive Programme, said: “The nominees and the people who won last year really were people who just worked in the background helping and supporting their community and doing amazing things that I might not have ever of heard of before.”

Gurdip Jatana is one of those nominated in the Smiliest Server Award category this year.

He has worked in the post office in Mepal for the past eight years.

He said: “I had a phone call to say I had been nominated and I couldn’t believe it.

“I always like to have a chat with the customers when they come in and take care of them. You get to know everyone when you’re working in a village like this and it is a nice feeling.

“We hold a lot of community events too and charity walks so we just do what we can to help out.

“I really enjoy my job so it’s lovely that people have chose me for something like this.”

Jemma Tyler, 29, from Witchford, was nominated in the Neighbour of the Year category.

She has been a listening ear and someone who was is always on call for her neighbours.

Jemma said: “I have no idea who nominated me but I was told there were several people who did. It is very flattering but I was so shocked when I found out as I wasn’t expecting anything like that.”

Sarah Burton was nominated in the Colleague of the Year category. She works at East Cambridgeshire District Council in the Housing and Community Safety department.

She said: “We have been nominated as a whole team and it is amazing. If we were to go on and win then it would be an absolute honour.

“I started here five years ago as a volunteer and I absolutely love my job.”

Award categories are Smiliest Server, Colleague of the Year, Caring Companion, Most Amazing Professional, Neighbour of the Year, Community Champion, Best Teacher, Child of Achievement, Sporting Hero and The Ely Hero.

Judges are now set to interview nominees within their respective categories to learn more about them and the special things they do.

Nominees will be notified after June 8 when final decisions will have been made across all categories.

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at The Maltings on June 25.