A clutch of projects helping to improve the lives of Bedfordshire people have been shortlisted for prestigious regional awards.

As many as ten county-wide schemes, the majority coming from Luton, have been placed in the running for one of the East Of England Celebrate Awards.

Among those getting the nod for a possible gong were the Dallow community centre's media learning project and the Chaul End Centre for housing a number of pivotal community services.

They were both nominated for the Best Use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Award.

Basepoint Business and Innovation Centre, in Butterfield Park, and two outfits initially supported by Headstart, based in Bute Street's Hat Factory, have also been put forward for awards.

Holohan Designs, a graphic design company, and Blimka Photography, set up by Luton photographer Belinda Painter, go head-to-head in the Enterprise Award category.

The Celebrate Awards, to be held on October 4 in Halesworth, recognise projects, people, businesses, places and communities that have benefited from funding, in part, from the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.

The events 12 categories aim to reflect a wide range of accomplishments, including economic regeneration, environmental sustainability and equal opportunities.

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