SuperValu Marketing Manager Briege McGinty , left, joins  NIAC President Doreen Muskett MBE and the awards patron Joe Mahon, from UTV’s Lesser Spotted Ulster to launch the 2010 SuperValu Best Kept Awards. Picture: Brian Thompson/Press Eye.

The prestigious awards scheme that acknowledges towns, housing areas, healthcare facilities and schools for their commitment to the natural and built environment, has had 12,500 entries over the past fifty years. Town and village awards have been in place since the scheme was established in 1957, Housing Area awards were introduced in 1975, the schools category was launched in 1991 and the Healthcare Facility Awards in 1995.

The Best Kept Awards are organised annually by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) and have been supported by SuperValu and its independent retail partners across Northern Ireland since 2004.

The closing date for the SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards is April 23. Healthcare Facility Awards close on May 28 and the Schools category is open until March 5. Entry forms are available from NIAC on 9040 3681 or visit www.niacbestkept.com for more information.