Menter Aberystwyth has announced that the nominations for the 2016 Menter Aberystwyth Gwobrau Cyntaf Aber First Awards are now open.

There are ten categories in this year’s awards, and businesses and organisations in the Menter Aberystwyth area who believe they excel in one or more of these categories can nominate themselves, and they can also be nominated directly by any of their customers and clients.

There is also the Cambrian News Business of the Year Award for the most outstanding winner by the main sponsor, the Cambrian News.

The success of these local awards has prompted the organisers to make this an annual event. It is designed to acknowledge the best practice and excellence displayed by organisations and businesses in this area. Those shortlisted for an award will be invited to attend a ceremony held on Friday, 1 July, in Aberystwyth.

This year the judges will also be assisted by ‘mystery shoppers’.

Entrants can make a self-application or customers/clients may choose to nominate you.

In either case, the person will need to state, in no more than 500 words, why the individual or business should be considered for an award. Photographs may be added to support the claim – there is no formal application form - and sent to [email protected] or posted to Menter Aberystwyth, Penbryn, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3BY. Please indicate for which award category your entry is for.

The closing date for all applications is Monday, 6 June, at noon.

Information can be found on Menter Aberystwyth’s Facebook page or on Twitter @MenterAber. Printed information can be obtained from either Mona Liza Gift Shop, Great Darkgate Street or at the Tourist Information Centre, Aberystwyth; the Town Library or from Penbryn Reception, Aberystwyth University.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online on Wednesday