THE National Trust is looking for modern-day champions who have helped preserved our special outdoor places in memory of its founder who believed passionately in access to 'open air sitting rooms.'

The trust has launched a new award, in partnership with BBC Countryfile Magazine, named after Octavia Hill, who is a Victorian social reformer and a founder of the National Trust who set the standard for campaigning for green spaces.

She died in 1912 and to mark the centenary there will be six accolades that celebrate individuals and groups that are keeping her legacy alive.

The categories are Growing Hero (for example someone who has saved a patch of allotments), Natural Hero (for individuals working for community spaces that matter to people and wildlife - in woodlands, nature reserves or orchards), Inspirational Hero (someone who has inspired people), The People’s Campaigner celebrates a person in the public spotlight who has done something amazing to champion an issue or cause, Green Space Guardians (for a group or organisation, big or small, that has created a lot of noise to champion green spaces and places) and ‘Love Places’ award which is specifically for National Trust volunteers, individuals or groups, who have enabled local communities to benefit from the open places that are important to them.

The trust wants to find modern-day Octavias, whether they are teachers, rangers, guides or anyone who has passed on their enthusiasm and knowledge.

Hilary McGrady, regional director for the south, said: “Octavia Hill believed passionately that everyone should have access to ‘open air sitting rooms’ and we want to rediscover that incredible sense of vision which Octavia Hill and her fellow founders had.

"Without her, some of our most inspiring landscapes might have been lost for ever: the world famous gardens of Cliveden and Stowe, the picturesque country estate of Hughenden Manor, acres of Chilterns chalk downland, not to mention ancient commons, heaths and bluebell woods. We know that there are people who are just as passionate and visionary today, and through our new awards we want to reveal and celebrate these modern-day Octavias.”

Entry is through a nomination form at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/octavia_hill_awards_nomination_form.doc. You can nominate any number of individuals or groups, including yourself, for any number of categories.

The awards are open to all ages and will be given for work carried out between January 1 2010 and December 31 2011. The closing date for entries is January 31.