THE Worcester News and its sister newspapers across Worcestershire are joining the search for the best architecture in the county.

The 2017 Worcestershire Architecture Awards have been set up by the Worcestershire Society of Chartered Architects.

They aim to recognise good architecture across Worcestershire, engage with the public and promote the value that using an architect can bring to the local environment.

A jury consisting of architects and non-architects will judge the entries.

Worcestershire has a very diverse mix of architectural practices from sole practitioners to offices of multi-national, multi-disciplinary practices.

These help clients with projects ranging from extensions and refurbishments for private residential buildings through to larger mixed use, public projects.

All around us architects are helping create new buildings and spaces that affect the lives of both the people who use them and those who pass by.

The Worcestershire Architecture Awards are designed to celebrate the best of these and widen the discussion of architecture in the county.

There are six categories in the awards, recognising both built and unbuilt projects in Worcestershire and by Worcestershire architects outside of the county.

Architects can enter projects of all scales, built and unbuilt, online at ribaworcestershire.co.uk/awards until June 30. Full details, terms and conditions can also be found on the awards webpage.

In addition to the categories judged by the panel, Newsquest (Midlands South), publisher of the Worcester News and local papers across Worcestershire, will be backing a People’s Choice Award.

Shortlisted entries from across the other categories will be published in the local papers and online with local people able to vote for their favourite building.

A free exhibition of the entries will be open to the public at the Guildhall (High Street, Worcester) on Saturday, August 25 from 10am until 4pm.

It will be followed by an awards reception where the winners will be revealed.