Do you know someone that has given a helping hand to their community?

STIHL is on the search for Great Britain's 'Local Community Heroes' to recognise and reward those people that have given back to their neighbourhood in the form of landscaping, gardening, clearing or cultivating.

The company will be giving away £2,500 worth of STIHL Cordless System product to a deserving winner who has been nominated by someone in their community. Six finalists will also win a STIHL FSA 90 cordless brushcutter with battery and charger, worth more than £550.

Robin Lennie, Managing Director at STIHL GB, says the competition looks to reward those unsung heroes who take an active role in regenerating and preserving their neighbourhoods.

"We know there are thousands of people around the country spending endless hours of their own time planting, landscaping, recycling and cleaning - all in the name of their local community. As a leading garden power tool and equipment company we feel it is our duty to recognise those people who are helping to keep the environment clean, maintained and protected. We hope that the public take the time to nominate these special people who take such pride in their communities - and perhaps stimulate further voluntary work in the process," says Mr Lennie.

Examples of community clear-up initiatives could include, but is not limited to:

• Planting of trees, shrubs and flowers eg. at a community retirement home/hospital/school
• Landscaping eg. at a local football club or canal bank
• Local recycling projects
• Cleaning and clearing initiatives
• Regenerating neglected, run-down areas

STIHL is encouraging the public to visit their website, www.stihl.co.uk/localheroes, from March 1st 2016 to nominate. Entries close 31st May 2016 and submissions will be judged by the 'STIHL judging panel', including Jane Moore - Head Gardener at The Bath Priory and Brownsword Hotels, writer for high profile gardening publications and Chelsea Flower Show medal-winner.

Mr Lennie says the £2,500 worth of Cordless System product will be a real asset to the deserving winner.

"The development of cordless technology is helping groundcare people and local volunteers work in residential, educational, commercial and public spaces efficiently, quietly and with no emissions. We hope this prize makes life easier for those volunteers who give so much back to their communities"