South Norfolk pubs are in line for a new council-inspired award celebrating their community credentials as part of an on-going campaign to ensure their survival.

South Norfolk pubs are in line for a new council-inspired award celebrating their community credentials as part of an on-going campaign to ensure their survival.

Friday May 1 sees the launch of The South Norfolk Community Pub of the Year Awards which will run through the summer months, with an overall winner announced this autumn.

The initiative is part of the district council's bigger fight to save pubs from closure - a campaign that has taken it from meetings in Long Stratton to the corridors of power in Parliament.

'Celebrating community pubs means we can pass on the secrets of their success. That draws more local people in, while getting the local more involved with its people. It will help save pubs in these difficult times and bring the community closer together,' said council chairman Margaret Dewsbury who is one of the competition judges.

John Hyde, landlord of the Half Moon in Rushall, near Harleston, is backing the awards.

'Local villages need their pubs more than ever now. With so many pubs closing, due to government increases in taxes on beers and spirits, the pub is the hub of communities, and always has been,' he stressed.

'It is where people get a chance to meet other neighbours from their own and also from surrounding villages which have already lost their pubs.'

Competition beer mats will promote the awards and show how to nominate a favourite pub. Pubs only need one nomination and will then get a simple application to complete.

Winners in each of the five 'south Norfolk neighbourhoods' will receive a 'South Norfolk Community Pub of the Year Award' plaque. The overall winner also gets the services of the council's top tourism and leisure team to run a tailor-made fun event at their pub in summer 2010.

The launch has been launched in time for the May Day bank holiday. Nominations can be made on line at www.south-norfolk.gov.uk from May 1, or text the word PUB to 80010 telling the council which pub should win and why. This is charged at standard network rate.

Nominations must be received by June 30.