COMMUNITY champions of all ages were lauded at the inaugural Better Burnley Awards.

The awards ceremony held this week celebrated groups and individuals who have "gone the extra mile to make Burnley a better place".

Set up by Burnley Action Partnership to challenge negative perceptions about the town, promote its attributes and improve the lives of local residents.

Hosted by BBC's Paul Crone at the Mechanics on Wednesday, awards were given in recognition of good work done in the community and voluntary sector.

Mr Crone said: "There are major changes underway in Burnley, millions of pounds of investment are being spent on new homes; new schools; new college; university campus; new town centre and canalside developments.

"But buildings alone, don't make a town. Towns are shaped by the people who live in them, individuals and groups who work to make their town more caring, dynamic, clean, healthy and unique."

More than 100 nominations for Burnley and Padiham individuals and groups were submitted to judges, for 11 categories including Young Achievers Award, Business of the Year and Healthy Communities Award.

All those nominated received a certificate of achievement.

Burnley Action Partnership includes representatives from Burnley Council, Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Police, Burnley Enterprise, Calico and Burnley College - the awards are part of a wider Better Burnley "pride campaign".

Burnley Business of the Year Award

Winner - BCW Engineering.

Visions of Burnley Award - in recognition of a group or an individual who have made a significant contribution to Burnley's environment.

Nominees - Burnley Wood Action Group; Ian Lawson; The Offshoots Permaculture Project Winner - Burnley Wood Action Group.

Burnley's Healthy Communities Award

Nominees - Activate Health Trainers; The Burnley and Pendle MIND Befriending Scheme; The Chai Centre.

Winner - The Burnley and Pendle MIND Befriending Scheme.

Burnley Hospitality Award

Nominees - Burnley Twinning Association; The Fat Giraffe Restaurant; The Sparrow Hawk Hotel Winner - The Sparrow Hawk Hotel.

Burnley Young Achievers Award

Nominees - Aleesha Begum from Sir John Thursby College; Rebecca Bradshaw, from Blessed Trinity RC College; Ryan Cooper, from Ridgewood School; Kane Stephenson, from Shuttleworth College.

Winner - Aleesha Begum.

Best Contribution to Burnley's Built Environment Award

Nominees - The Hirst Gardens Scheme; Burnley Youth Theatre; West Street Community Garden.

Winner - Burnley Youth Theatre.

Highly Commended - West Street Community Garden.

Sporting Excellence Award

Nominees - Rebecca Brown; Sophie Hitchon; Alan Smith.

Winner - Sophie Hitchon.

Community Interfaith Award

Nominees - Building Bridges in Burnley; Terry Murnane; Colin Wills.

Winner - Building Bridges in Burnley.

Building Stronger Burnley Communities Award

Nominees - Brunshaw Action Group; Bob Clark; Chris Keene; Burnley Play Association.

Winner - Brunshaw Action Group.

Young Burnley Champion Award

Nominees - Core 15 - Big Art Project; Luke Holden from Hameldon Community College; Michael Spencer from Hameldon Community College.

Winner - Luke Holden.

Champion of Burnley Award

Nominees - Colin Sanderson; George Heys; Madeeha Imtiaz.

Winner - George Heys.