|TOP|Nominations have opened for the Wavemakers Awards 2006 which celebrate the achievement and contribution to society of children and young people across the UK.

Wavemakers works to encourage and empower children and young people to improve their lives, have their voices heard and make a positive difference to society.

This is done through the annual awards which are judged by young people from throughout the UK.

Wavemakers wants to hear about children and young people who have developed a new idea or started up a project or developed a scheme that has improved their own life or the lives of others in the areas of social care, health and education.

|AD|Nominations can also come from organisations that have developed initiatives, schemes or projects led or inspired by children and/or young people that have significantly improved their lives.

The award is not for academic, sport or musical achievements unless that is an integral part of the overall achievement or benefit.

The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 28th February 2006 with the winning projects or groups to be announced by 1st June 2006.

The winners will be invited to celebrate their achievements at the special Wavemakers Awards Showcase in London on Thursday 6th July.

2006 is the first time winners can be nominated for the new Argos Award which will give the winning project £500 cash from Argos to spend on further developing or replicating their project. The individual or group will also receive £100 of Argos vouchers for themselves.

For more info visit: www.wavemakers.org.uk