ACTION for Market Towns - the national charity representing market and small towns across the UK - has just launched its 2012 award scheme with a challenge to Teesside towns and villages to be “bold, proud, and loud” about what they have achieved.

The 2012 Action for Market Towns National Awards have become a recognised quality mark for best practice.

At a critical time for town centres and high streets, the awards offer recognition for the innovation and creative ideas which many small towns are using to survive and thrive - ideas which could be implemented to help the recovery of other towns.

2012 sees the award scheme - now in its eighth year - extended to cover Scotland for the first time.

Chris Wade, chief executive of Action for Market Towns, said: “We are really excited to launch the 2012 Action for Market Towns Awards, which for the first time cover the whole of Britain.

“Last year's record entries showed that austere times can bring out the best amongst the self-reliant communities and businesses in Britain's small towns. We look forward to receiving even more imaginative and sustainable entries this year.”

Judges will rate entries in categories including Environment and Culture, Social and Community, Business and Economy, and Partnership and Strategic Working.

Previous award winners range from projects improving towns’ physical environment to the creation of business and community hubs, from a social enterprise helping disabled people into employment to a project to bring in high-speed wi-fi.

Sponsored by CCLA and The Big Lottery Fund, the awards give towns and villages an invaluable opportunity for national recognition and coverage of their achievements and their ideas

Full details including entry criteria and instructions are available at http://bit.ly/xWC8E0.