Awards praising innovative and inspiring architecture and design in your local area will be dished out at an Observer-backed ceremony.

Every two years, the Harrow Heritage Trust teams up with this newspaper to invite readers to nominate buildings which they feel make their area shine and thrive.

A 15-strong shortlist from the nominations that were put forward was drawn up, with members of the trust conducting visits last week before deliberating on who will be given the Harrow Heritage Trust & Harrow Observer Architectural and Environmental Award 2014 on Tuesday.

Former architect and town planner Baj Mathur, a member of the trust, said: "This year the entries were of exceptionally high standard and therefore presented judges few challenges in making the awards.

"The visits and deliberations thereafter lasted some eleven hours."

Mr Mathur will judge the contest alongside retired architect Gabi Otvos, chairman of Harrow Heritage Trust Martin Verden, Harrow Council's principal conservation officer Lucy Hale, Conservative councillor and cabinet member for culture Manji Kara and Labour councillor and former cabinet member for planning Keith Ferry.

He added: "We are in the business of encouraging good design. Sometimes you look at a building, you can think 'oh that looks rubbish', but other times you look and it gives you that 'wow factor' which makes you feel good about your corner of Harrow.

"We were formed in 1985 and since then, that's what we aim to highlight."

Harrow Council's £2million regeneration of St Ann's in Harrow's town centre was among the nominations shortlisted.

Other notable nominations include Harrow Central Mosque, in Station Road, Harrow, The Hive in Camrose Avenue, Edgware, Cedars Youth & Community Centre in Chicheley Road, Harrow Weald and the restoration of John Lyon School, in Middle Road, Harrow.

The Mayor of Harrow Nana Asante will present awards at the ceremony, held at 5.30pm on Tuesday at Harrow Council's Civic Centre in Station Road.

For information about the event, contact Mr Mathur on 0208 8454 426.

For a full list of nominations, visit our website www.getwestlondon.co.uk, and for more information about the trust, visit www.harrowheritagetrust.org.uk.