The Bishop of Norwich has relaunched a £1,000 award scheme to find "inspirational" young workers who are looking after Norfolk's natural environment.

Applications are now open for the 2023 Bishop of Norwich Sustainable Environment Young Employee of the Year Award.

This award is open to employees and apprentices under 21, who work for a Norfolk-based employer in areas such as conservation, ecology and horticulture or countryside, climate change or forestry management.

The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize to help toward training requirements, as well as two tickets to the Royal Norfolk Show on June 29, when the award will be presented.

The winner of the inaugural award last year was 17-year-old Jamie Hipperson, an apprentice at Bentley Farming near Reepham.

He claimed the prize after demonstrating an in-depth understanding of environmental challenges and outlining his ideas on how agriculture could become more sustainable.

He said the award was an "amazing opportunity" to advance his career, and he plans to put the prize money towards a six-month trip to New Zealand during the harvest season.

The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, said: "It was a joy to present the inaugural award to Jamie Hipperson last summer.

"It gives me hope in the future of environmentally-conscious farming that seeks to enhance biodiversity. I am hopeful we shall find an equally worthy winner this year."

The award is run in partnership with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and the Food and Farming Discovery Trust.

Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from their employer, along with a short smartphone video to introduce themselves and their career development progress.

They must also explain their interest in environmental issues, what they have done about this during their current employment, and how they hope to make a difference in their future careers.

Applications should be submitted to Shannon.woodhouse@rnaa.org.uk by May 15, with videos submitted using WeTransfer.