The Anne Frank Trust has teamed up with Northampton's Youth Forum to create a new award scheme recognising acts of courage.

People aged under 25 are particularly encouraged to come forward, but the awards are open to people of all ages.

Winners of the competition will be VIP guests at next year's Northampton Carnival celebrations in June and could have their nominations put forward for national youth forum awards.

Councillor Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St Davids), leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: "People could have done something special, like doing something to tackle bullying or helping young people in distress.

"Maybe people know someone who stopped a crime or helped to tackle hate crime and discrimination.

"If they do, they should nominate them."

The partnership between the town and the Anne Frank Trust came about after Sean Silver, who used to work as community development manager at Northampton Borough Council, was given an award by the Anne Frank Trust in recognition of his work with Holocaust awareness in the town.

Lindsey Ambrose, coordinator of the youth forum said: "The Anne Frank Trust met with the youth forum over the summer and agreed to work alongside us and Northampton Carnival.

"We hope that we can make this model work in Northampton and that if so it may be something that can be rolled out in other parts of the country too."

To nominate someone for the awards or to find out more about them, log on to www.northamp-ton.gov.uk/annefrank or call Northampton 837566.

The closing date for nominations is March 10, 2008.