Prime Minister David Cameron has backed a new set of awards being set up by a regional daily to honour its local heroes.

The Birmingham Mail is launching the Pride of Birmingham Awards in association with Virgin Trains to recognise courage, caring and community involvement.

Readers have nominated a shortlist of potential recipients with the prizes to be handed out at Birmingham’s historic Town Hall on Friday.

The Prime Minister said he felt “great pride” after reading the stories of shortlisted nominees, and thanked the Mail for bringing their achievements to the public’s attention.

Mr Cameron said:  “Birmingham has always been a city of greats and the inaugural Pride of Birmingham awards are about celebrating some of them – the unsung heroes who have made a huge difference, against the odds,” he said.

“One word springs to mind when I look at the nominees – courage. The courage of soldiers who have put their lives on the line. The courage of children who have faced serious illness. And the courage of those ordinary people who – in the toughest of circumstances – have done extraordinary things.

“I also want to pay tribute to the Birmingham Mail for putting this event. The Mail plays a vital role in our society: keeping communities up to date,

campaigning for change and holding people like me to account.

“Also, as we see from the stories of the nominees, bringing to light the stories of amazing people who deserve to be recognised.”

A host of sporting and musical celebrities will be taking part in Friday’s ceremony including Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, Wizzard singer Roy Wood, UB40 legend Ali Campbell, Olympic heptathlete Kelly Sotherton and Aston Villa heroes Dion Dublin and Ian Taylor.

In addition, Jasper Carrott, Lenny Henry, David Harewood, Adil Ray and the cast of Citizen Khan have recorded special videos to be shown on the night.