ONE of the Cotswolds' most innovative tourism attractions owes much of its success to one woman – Florence Beetlestone.

She is the driving force behind the Cotswold Hare Trail, which comprises a series of hare sculptures placed at sites across the region's towns and villages.

Her hard work and dedication has been rewarded with a nomination in the Community Project of the Year category of our Pride of the Cotswold Awards 2018.

Steve Mather, former assistant editor of the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, has nominated Florence.

He said: "Florence Beetlestone had to overcome a lot of opposition to her idea to create the Cotswolds Hare Trail, but she stuck to her vision of how successful it could be and ensured it came to fruition.

"She has worked tirelessly over the past five years since its inception to build on its success year on year and the 2018 trail is the biggest yet.

"It now covers five counties and visitors come from all over the world to see the wonderful hares as they explore the Cotwolds."

Nominated in for the Good Neighbour Award is Vince Harris, of Cirencester.

Shirley Weaving, who singled him out for praise, said: "I live on my own, and Vince will always check that I am ok.

"He mows my lawns, puts my bins out, clears the snow, sorts out my computer and changes my bulbs.

"He makes me feel safe and I can call on him day and night... and that means the world to me."

The Pride of the Cotswold Awards will be presented in a glitzy ceremony at the New Lawn stadium, home of Forest Green Rovers Football Club, in September.

Supplements in the paper and coverage on our website and social media will list which awards are up for grabs, and which are finally shortlisted.

Our independent judging panel will sift through your nominations and identify those with the qualities they feel best match the award category criteria. They will make their decision based on the content of the nomination rather than the number of nominations received.

Join us in applauding those who help make the Cotswolds great.

To find out how to nominate someone today visit www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/awards/prideofcotswolds