THEY’RE back! The Dunfermline Press and Central Fife Times Community Champions Awards are returning and you can nominate those who make a difference in your community now.

This week sees the launch of the 2017 Awards, which will culminate in a fabulous awards night at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline on Friday, June 2.

The aim of the awards is to recognise, reward and celebrate the people who make our communities a better place.

And we've been doing just that since we first came up the idea to run the awards two years ago.

We know there's lots of bad news around and it's our duty to report it.

But we are also passionate about being positive about the West Fife community and in terms of the Press Community Champions Awards, there's only good new stories.

Fife regional editor Simon Harris said: "My favourite part of being a journalist is being able to share the stories each week of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

"We try to champion our communities where we can and each year, these awards underline that we have a strong community that we can all be proud of.

"Who knows what stories of courage, tenacity, generosity and the overwhelming sense of community spirit found throughout West Fife we'll uncover by running this year's awards? What I am sure of is that there will be many, I'm looking forward to the Press bringing you the stories and honouring our community champions on June 2."

Last year’s ceremony was attended by an audience of more than 200 featuring awards recipients, their friends, families and wellwishers together with major figures from the West Fife community.

It proved to be a celebration of the achievements and tireless endeavours undertaken each and every day by ‘ordinary’ people in communities throughout Dunfermline and West Fife that helps to make this area such a special place to call home.

For one night, our community champions from sport, business, charity, music, schools and everyday life were able to swap their community cause for the limelight of the stage and deservedly take the plaudits for their achievements from those they helped and benefited the most – the community of West Fife.

The Dunfermline Press and Central Fife Times are at the heart of the communities we are proud and privileged to serve. These awards help us to reach out to the hearts and minds of the everyday folk in our villages and towns who, with their courage, quiet dignity and selfless acts, help to enrich the lives of others.

But we need your help. For our 2017 awards, we want to hear about your community greats that make your street, estate, village or town thrive and want you to nominate them for an award.