MORE sponsors have been announced for the Daily Echo Proud to Care Awards 2017.

The awards will celebrate the dedication of committed carers who go out of their way to improve the lives of others.

Daily Echo readers have been urged to nominate in 12 categories in the awards, held in conjunction with Bournemouth and Poole councils.

The Potteries, Care UK's purpose-built home in Poole, is sponsoring the Volunteer of the Year award.

A spokesman said: "We welcome the opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution that carers make to improve the lives of others across Dorset and the New Forest.

"Care UK is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of health and social care services, and in recognition and gratitude of the important role that unpaid carers and volunteers have in the community, we are proud to announce our sponsorship of the Volunteer Carer of the Year category in this year’s awards."

Nourish is sponsoring the Care Home of the Year award.

CEO Nuno Almeida said: "At Nourish, we are all about sharing positive care stories and celebrating the care professionals who go above and beyond every day. Working with some fantastic care homes and care providers over the years, we have experienced first-hand the hard work, effort and passion that goes into high quality care and we know that so often care individuals are not recognised for all that they do.

"We are proud to be supporting the Daily Echo Proud to Care Awards 2017 and will be sponsoring the Care Home of the Year, an award close to our hearts as we work with so many awe-inspiring care homes across the UK. We’re looking forward to hearing the nominations of what will no doubt be some fantastic stories of homes and individuals, and ultimately we look forward to an important evening of celebrating exceptional care."

Right at Home is sponsoring the Family Carer of the Year award and a spokesman said: "I’m really pleased to be able to support Daily Echo Proud to Care Awards because they recognise the key contribution that carers - both unpaid and paid – make to individuals and to communities across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

"As a home care company that aims to provide an outstanding level of care to our clients as well as a supportive, nurturing and open working environment to our care-givers, I look forward to seeing the awards give all types of carers the recognition they deserve."

Shortlisted nominees and their guests will be invited to a ceremony at the Hamworthy Cub on November 7 where the winners will be announced.

Those interested in sponsoring a category should call Angela Boyer on 01202 411221.