DOZENS of businesses are backing the 2018 Worcestershire Education Awards.

The awards are organised jointly between the Worcester News and University of Worcester, and celebrate the talent in our schools, nurseries, colleges and other groups.

They follow the success of the inaugural Worcestershire Education Awards in 2017.

This year, international giant Worcester Bosch is sponsoring the Community Involvement Award.

Also lending their support in 2018: Parallel Lines, sponsoring the keynote speaker, which is former swimming champion

Duncan Goodhew, The Royal Three Counties Show, sponsoring the programme, Western Power Distribution, sponsoring the Unsung Hero Award, Babcock Prime, sponsoring the Newcomer of the Year Award, Worcestershire County Council, sponsoring the Teacher/Lecturer of the Year Award Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, sponsoring the College, or Post-18 Education & Training Provider of the Year Award Worcester Sixth Form College, sponsoring the Primary School of the Year Award.

There are still categories available to sponsor. They are: Early Years Education, Secondary School of the Year, Independent School of the Year and Special Education Needs.

Worcester News editor Michael Purton said: "t’s fantastic to see so many local organisations sponsoring the education awards, showing their support for the great educators in our county."

Nominations are open until April 20. See worcesternews.co.uk/educationawards/nominate.