COMMUNITIES across Devon are being called on to vote for this year’s recycling heroes, in the fourth Recycle Devon Thank You Awards being held next month.

This year residents are able to vote online for their shortlisted candidate via the following website: http://www.recycledevon.org/have-your-vote until February 8.

This year there have been 61 nominations in the following categories: Your Recycling Hero, School Recycling Hero, Community Group recycling hero, Collection Crew/Operative, Recycling Centre Operative staff and Small Business Champion.

One of the candidates short-listed for the Recycle Devon award of Recycling Hero of the Year for 2015 is Esther Mann.

Esther co-ordinates Sustainable Crediton’s Waste Action Group and it was this group, which exactly a year ago, opened the first Crediton Give and Take Pop Up Shop which occupied Gee’s old premises in Crediton High Street.

The Group is delighted that Esther has been short-listed and is appealing to people to vote for her.

Group member Paula Mossman said: “If you enjoyed the Give and Take Pop Up Shops this year, would you give Esther a hand by voting for her?

“You only have a very short time to do so as voting ends on Monday, February 8. All you need to do to vote is copy the link below into your computer and then scroll down the list of candidates and click on Esther’s name.

In the last two years members of Sustainable Crediton’s Waste Action Group have been runners-up at the Recycle Devon awards.

The Give and Take Pop Up Shops held in February and October last year have been by far the largest and most successful recycling projects run by Sustainable Crediton to date.

More than 8,500 people visited the two events and more than three double decker bus loads of goods found new homes.

Paula added: “It would be marvellous for Esther to receive the recognition she deserves for all her hard work organising both events.

“Can you please help us make 2016 Esther’s year by voting now? Thank you.”

All the shortlisted candidates have been invited to attend an award ceremony at County Hall on February 12, hosted by Matt and Caroline from “Heart” Radio’s breakfast show.

The awards are organised by the Recycle Devon team, and were first launched to recognise those people who do that bit extra to help ensure Devon remains clean and green.

Alan Quick