The hunt is on to discover the Thanet people who regularly go out of their way to welcome visitors and residents, and deliver top quality service.

Visit Kent and Thanet District Council are seeking nominations for the Pride in Thanet Awards 2009 recognising outstanding customer service in local tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses.

Posters and nomination postcards are being distributed in shops, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and visitor attraction throughout Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs as well as in surrounding villages. The postcards are also available in libraries and local visitor information centres.

For the first time, anyone nominating a person selected by the judges for a Pride in Thanet Award will also have the chance to win a selection of gift vouchers to the value of £50.

Fran Warrington, head of Visit Kent at Kent County Council, said: “These awards recognise the achievements of those special people in our shops, leisure centres, visitor destinations and services providers who regularly go out of their way to make their customers feel special.

“They deliver such excellent service that you want to recommend that business to all your friends and family.”

Cllr Roger Latchford OBE, Thanet Council Cabinet Member for Culture and Economy, said: “Our tourism industry takes great pride in welcoming visitors to our beautiful area and that’s what these awards set out to recognise.

“I’d encourage anyone who has had first class service from anyone in the leisure, tourism or hospitality trade to tell us about it and ensure that people and organisations get the recognition they deserve.”

The Pride in Thanet Award 2009 winners will be announced at the Winter Gardens, Margate, on Monday, March 30.

The closing date for nominations is Monday, March 2, 2009

For further information about the Pride in Thanet Awards or to request a nomination card, please call Visit Kent: 01622 696936 or email: prideinkent@kent.gov.uk