A national charity is on the hunt for local heroes.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is launching their Heart Hero Awards 2018 and asking for people to nominate their heart hero.

The awards, which are now in their fourth year, recognise the different ways people fight heart disease, and this year there are three categories.

The Healthcare Hero award will recognise a doctor, nurse, or person working in a healthcare setting who has made a special effort to make a difference to the life of a heart patient or their family. The Young Heart Hero award will go to an exceptional person under the age of 18 years who has done something amazing for the BHF and is a source of inspiration to others. The Inspiration award will recognise a person who inspires others through their determination and dedication. Whether that is through their fundraising efforts, taking part in a physical challenge, organising an event, or volunteering activities.

Nominations are open until May 11 at 4pm. The winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner that will take place in London on October 5 2018.

Last year, Nicola Wiseman was named as a heart hero by the BHF at a special awards ceremony held in Manchester.

Nicola won the Inspiration Award for her amazing work raising money for the British Heart Foundation through a series of running events. After a life-saving heart operation, Nicola struggled to run to the end of the road. But she refused to give up, and in 2016 ran the London Marathon to raise funds for the BHF. She is competing in six running events this year to raise more money for the research that has enabled her to have a fulfilling life, and is working hard to ensure others have the same.

Nicola said: “It was an honour to receive this award and to know that my fundraising has been such an inspiration to others. The BHF is a charity that is very important to us because if it wasn’t for their research, I wouldn’t be alive today and I would not have had the chance to have my three gorgeous children. IN the past 10 years, my Dad and myself have had life-saving open heart surgery.

"The BHF are so supportive when it comes to taking part in a challenge. I want to continue working with the BHF to help stop lives being cut short from heart disease and support and improve the lives of those living hearts conditions.”

Simon Gillespie, chief executive at BHF said: “Heart and circulatory disease impacts on the lives of millions of people across the UK. Yet, there are so many ordinary people who, when confronted with that challenge, are doing extraordinary things.

“The heart hero awards recognise and celebrate the efforts of those who are working selflessly to make life better for other people.

“So if you know someone who is making a difference then please put their name forward so that their contribution can be recognised and honoured.”

You can nominate someone for a heart hero award at bhf.org.uk/heartheroes