THE winners of an awards designed to celebrate unsung heroes from the region have been chosen at a special judging day.

The South Wales Argus Pride of Gwent awards received hundreds of nominations from across the region.

You told us about the amazing work being done in communities all over Gwent by people and groups that aim to improve the lives of others.

At a special judging session at the South Wales Argus offices in Newport, the Pride of Gwent winners were chosen by a panel of the event's sponsors.

The panel included Emma Smallcombe from the Admiral Group, Ieuan-Rhys Beal from the Monmouthshire Building Society, Karen Welch from Western Power Distribution, deputy police and crime commissioner for Gwent Police Eleri Thomas, South Wales Argus editor Nicole Garnon, Cathy Parsons from Newsquest, reporter Angharad Williams and South Wales Argus' managing director Hussain Bayoomi.

Anyone with prior knowledge or a connection to any of the nominees was excluded from voting in that category.

South Wales Argus editor Nicole Garnon said: “Once again it was very difficult to choose between the people nominated for Pride of Gwent Awards. We had an enjoyable day with the judges choosing our winners.”

The winners of each category have now been chosen and will be awarded at a special event.

The awards include the Courage Award, 999 Hero, Achiever Award, Good Samaritan, Volunteer Award, Charity Champion, Carer Award, the Life Saver Award, the Local Hero Awards, Charity Award, Environment Award Community Hero Award, the Special Recognition Award, Lifetime Achievement and the overall Pride of Gwent Winner.

The award winners will be announced in upcoming editions of the South Wales Argus in the next few weeks.

They will be celebrated at an awards ceremony which will be held on the afternoon on May 25 in the Coldra Court Hotel where the overall Pride of Gwent winner for 2018 will be announced.

To see the latest updates from the awards visit southwalesargus.co.uk/prideofgwent.