Residents in Caerphilly County Borough will be able to nominate frontline workers and people who have volunteered during the coronavirus pandemic for a Queen’s Birthday Honour.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List has been delayed until the autumn in order to include a new Covid-19 category.

The original list, which was scheduled to be announced on Saturday (June 13), was drawn up before the virus outbreak.

Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, said: “Since the crisis began, I have heard and read about examples of the exceptional contribution being made by so many individuals across Gwent in response to coronavirus.

“I am hugely grateful to each and every one of them. In these unprecedented circumstances, I feel more strongly than ever that we must do all we can to ensure that the efforts of people in Gwent are fully and properly recognised with national honours.

“So, I encourage anyone who lives or works in Gwent to go ahead and nominate individuals for consideration for a national award for their outstanding role in the response to Covid-19. 

“I really hope we can make the most of this opportunity as an important way of demonstrating clearly how proud we are of the achievements of people in Gwent in the face of real adversity and challenge posed by coronavirus.”

Caerphilly’s Senedd Member, Hefin David, said: “Covid-19 has had devastating consequences across the country, but the actions of those people on the frontline who have gone beyond the call of duty to keep us all safe should be recognised.

“There are many people who will know somebody who has gone the extra mile. I would encourage nominations from members of the public to come forward.”

A new Covid-19 honours nomination form is available online and can be used by any member of the public to nominate an individual for an honour.

People making nominations will not need to provide letters of support when making a nomination.

More information on the nomination process can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-honours-nomination-form