Youngsters nominated for this year’s Tendring Youth Awards will have to wait to find out if they will be picking up a prize.

The 2024 gala awards evening was due to take place at Clacton’s Princes Theatre next month, but has been postponed by organisers due to the General Election.

Awards chairman Karen O’Connor said the event will now take place on October 22.

She said: “The awards are run by volunteers, many of whom work for Tendring Council, and I’m always very grateful for the time and effort they put in to help recognise the achievements of young people in the district.

“But with a number of the volunteers being involved in the organisation of the elections for the Clacton and Harwich and North Essex constituencies, it is prudent to postpone the awards evening until after this busy period is over.

“We had brilliant nominations this year and we’re looking forward to writing to the finalists shortly to share the good news with them.”

The awards celebrate amazing accomplishments by young people who live, study or work in Tendring, as well as adults who support them.

Nominations for the Tendring Youth Awards closed on May 7 and a panel of judges have assessed the nominations to compile a shortlist of finalists.

There are 11 categories, including the newly introduced Young Life Saver Award, to recognise young people who have either directly saved a life, or who have taught and shared skills to train others to do so.

Other categories include Community Improvement and Environmental Initiative – both of which come with a bursary for the winner – Learning and Outstanding Achievement awards, and the Unsung Hero award for adults who support young people.

The headline sponsor of the awards for a fifth year is Harwich Haven Authority.

The event is supported by Tendring Council and Essex County Council, and other sponsors include the Princes Theatre, Actual Radio, Halterman Carless, Aquinas Provisions, Latimer by Clarion Housing Group and TimeLine Auctions.