Nominations for the hidden heroes of Sussex have come flooding in during the past few weeks.

This is the fourth year of The Argus Achievement Awards, which we launched to honour the men, women and children who have made a difference.

There are hundreds of people across the county who spend their lives giving selflessly to others and you have told us who they are.

Their stories of bravery, struggles with illness and kindness make inspirational reading.

Our panel of judges had great difficulty deciding who should be selected to go through to the finals.

After much discussion they have chosen three finalists in ten categories.

There are four finalists in the courageous child category as it was impossible to pick only three.

The award categories are Achiever of the Year, Parent of the Year, Angel of the Year, Beyond the Call of Duty, School of the Year, Pupil of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Charity of the Year, Good Neighbour of the Year, Local Hero of the Year and Courageous Child of the Year.

All the finalists and the people who nominated them have been invited to a spectacular awards evening at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel on Friday, May 6.

The winners will be revealed on the night and presented with a trophy.

Once again, the host is ITN newsreader Nicholas Owen. He will be joined by celebrity guests including magician Paul Zenon, singer David Van Day and actors John Forgeham, Judy Cornwell, Avril Gaynor and Michael Jayston.

The Beyond the Call of Duty Award will again be made in memory of Jeff Tooley, a police officer knocked down and killed while on duty in Shoreham.

The Local Hero of the Year Award will be made in memory of actor Adam Faith, who died in 2003.

Our Contribution to Sussex award is the 12th category on the list and will recognise a special individual or organisation which has made the county a better place. The winner will be chosen by Michael Beard, editor of The Argus, and revealed on the night.

A full report of the evening will be published in The Argus on Monday, May 9.

Mr Beard said: "The nominees have shown incredible bravery and compassion and they all deserve recognition."

Travers Clarke-Walker, director of marketing at sponsor EDF Energy, said: "Through our brand, Seeboard Energy, EDF Energy has supported the Argus Achievement Awards for the past three years.

"EDF Energy is dedicated to supporting the local community and we are proud to be involved in these awards.

"There are many individuals and groups who go beyond the call of duty to make the community a better place and we are delighted to be able to play a part in rewarding the achievements of these outstanding people."

The finalists are:

Achiever of the year: Mohammed Asaduzzaman, Martin Webb, Liz Longhurst.

Parent of the year: Carrie Britton, Julie Warne, Tracy Powell.

School of the year: Manor Hall Middle School, Dorothy Stringer, Westdene Primary.

Hero of the year: Adrian Halley, Keith Lane, Vic Chandler.

Teacher of the year: Leroy Clarke, Liz Fletcher, Greg Hetherton.

Courageous child: Kallum and Abigail Howell, James Holford, Carla Wilson.

Beyond the call of duty: Marc Abraham, Roy Hopgood and Ben Calloway, John MacFarlane.

Pupil of the year: Stuart Strudwick, Lloyd Miller, John Jones.

Charity of the year: Sussex ME/CFS Society, CHOICES, Brighton and Hove Housing Trust.

Neighbour of the year: Gaynor Keenan, Derek Husted, Gaby Gadiot.

Angel of the year: Mark Patterson, Elizabeth Quinn, Pam Darch.