WIRRAL'S state-of-the-art youth zone The Hive has been shortlisted at the National Diversity Awards (NDA) 2019.

The Hive was nominated for the Community Organisation Award for Age which recognises groups, charities and voluntary organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to their local community.

More than 28,000 people were nominated this year with an astonishing 124 nominees recognised for various achievements nationwide.

This year more than 4,000 members have walked through the doors of the facility which has been designed as a safe place for youngsters aged between 8 to 19 or up to 25 for those with learning difficulties or disabilities.

Chief executive at The Hive, Adam Mellor said: "We are so proud to have been nominated for this award that recognises our commitment to inclusion and diversity across our Youth Zone.

"Every week we provide 48 hours of open access youth work, alongside our employability and mentoring programmes.

"Across all of these sessions between 20% - 30% of young people attending have a disability or additional need and every Sunday our dedicated inclusion session welcomes young people along with their families to enjoy sport, art, music and fitness activities together.

"This recognition is testament to our team and our volunteers who provide a safe and engaging environment for our members, working together to ensure that the needs of all are always considered with empathy and dignity and that no young person is left behind."

Community organisations and role models from across the country will descend on Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on Friday, September 20 to witness the very best of British diversity.

Among those being honoured are a reformed gangster, a Junior Bake-Off star and a host of campaigners and activists, all who work tirelessly to combat injustice and discrimination in very different ways.

Actress and comedian Sally Phillips will take centre stage at the event as the official host of this year’s ceremony, she said: “I am delighted to be hosting the 2019 National Diversity Awards. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work and stand out achievements of role models and community groups throughout the UK is a genuine honour for me.

"Having attended the Awards back in 2016, I experienced this fabulous ceremony firsthand and I cannot wait to be back this year celebrating the dedication and commitment of some of the UK’s most luminous and exceptional people.”

To view the full list of nominees visit https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/shortlist/