The annual awards, run by Croydon Council, are designed to thank people for their help in improving the environment.

Entry forms have just been published and the closing date for most categories is August 25. Other categories have a closing date of July 7.

Previous winners in the 13-year-old competition have included those who have made wildlife areas in school grounds, or run community clean-ups and weekend rubbish collections, reported flytipping, or brightened up the local area.

There is a new category this year for action combating vandalism, graffiti, flytipping and criminal damage. The closing date is August 25.

The traditional sectors remain. Gardeners can enter for the greenest corner award, which will go to the person with the best wild garden or patch. The closing date for this is August 25. Meanwhile activists should go for the green action award if they feel they have made a difference to their surroundings. The closing date is August 25.

Examples of potential entrants to the green action award include community groups which use Croydon Council's weekend rubbish collection services, champion recyclers and those who have adopted a patch of land or look after a street tree.

Organisers of the Care for Croydon Awards 2000 also want to hear from schools and colleges which have been involved in green projects for the Education and the Environment category. The closing date is July 7. The other categories are:

p Croydon caring business. Up to four prizes. Closing date August 25.

p Considerate contractor. One prize. Closing date August 25.

p Front gardens, Window boxes or balconies. Up to 12 awards. Closing date July 7.

p How does your rubbish grow? (Using items which would normally be thrown away to grow plants or flowers.) Up to three awards. Theclosing date is July 7.

p Good gum poster competition (best poster design and slogan to get people to bin their chewing gum.) Up to four awards. Closing date August 25.

p Civic pride award (The best overall effort by an individual.) One award. Closing date August 25.

Winners receive cash prizes or vouchers in addition to an award.

Booklets containing the entry form and explaining the categories are at the One-Stop shop in Taberber House, libraries and some local shops and supermarkets.

Alternatively, you can telephone Croydon Council environmental and recycling unit on 020 8760 5524.