Last year's Community Policing Awards winners have urged the public to make this year's celebrations another massive success.

More than 400 nominations were received across the Avon and Somerset police force area in recognition the best neighbourhood police officers and staff in the inaugural awards in 2007.

This year, nominations have already topped 130 and are on course to match that figure if residents get their thinking caps on and put forward their favourite bobbies before November 30.

Bath Neighbourhood Sergeant Richard Durnford won the Outstanding Customer Service award last time and is a shining example of an officer who gives his all to the job.

He has been at the heart of the city for seven years and in May 2007, his quick thinking saw him save a suicidal woman's life. Mr Durnford, 41, said: "I was obviously very touched to be a winner at the inaugural awards. To realise you have touched someone's life in that way makes you very proud.

"I would urge the people of Bath and the rest of the region to remember when was the last time they had contact with the police and think 'did the officer or officers they dealt with do anything particularly outstanding?'.

"We want people to nominate because it is motivational, but also lets us know whether what we are doing is right. It would be fantastic to be nominated for an award again, I would be flattered."

The Western Daily Press is once again sponsoring the Neighbourhood Team of the Year award, won last year by Taunton East.

Its beat Sergeant Andrew Murphy said: "We're still over the moon about winning last year and are continuing our hard work.

"It gave everybody a huge lift and gave other teams across the district something to aspire to.

"I would ask people to put pen to paper because normally people do not for the police, good or bad, and we want to hear people's experiences and what they want."

Organised by the police and the police authority, the other four categories are Neighbourhood Beat Manager of the Year, PCSO of the Year, Special Constable of the Year and the Outstanding Customer Service Award.

They will be reviewed by an independent panel and winners will be selected for each of the six policing districts – Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Somerset West and Somerset East.

An awards ceremony will be held next March, when the overall winner for each category will be announced.

You can collect a voting form from the Bristol News & Media offices at Temple Way, Bristol, your local Avon and Somerset police station, or download one from our website.