The search is on in Oakham for volunteers who helped make a difference to people during the pandemic.

Rutland's Lord Lieutenant Dr Sarah Furness and High Sheriff Richard Cole are working together on a plan to recognise kind-hearted volunteers and after receiving names from elsewhere in the county, are keen on hearing nominations from the Oakham area.

Oakham Mayor David Romney told Nub News: "Let the people have their say. They know better than we do."

People with nominations are asked to send them via the town council.

High Sheriff Richard Cole says though the pandemic is a long way off from ending, he and the Lord Lieutenant do not want to lose sight of the many good things so many people in the county had done to help people.

The pair wrote to parish councils and town councils in the county and though they have received 40 nominations from elsewhere in Rutland, they haven't received any from Oakham.

Mr Cole says he and Dr Furness are looking at some kind of award, including writing a letter of thanks to those nominated, but there would be no badge.

There may also be a 'party in the park' for the 'Covid heroes' when such things are allowed under social-distancing guidelines.

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He also told Nub News: "We [also] need to have a service of reflection and remembrance. But we have to get through this [pandemic] first."