A powerful campaign led by your News & Star is in the running for a top award - and YOU can ensure its success.

Today is the launch of Local Newspaper Week 2017, celebrating the vital role that titles such as ours play in the communities we serve.

Voting also opens in the initiative's Making A Difference Award.

The Save Our Services campaign spearheaded by the News & Star and its CN Group stablemates The Cumberland News, Whitehaven News and Times & Star is one of 28 successful campaigns nationally shortlisted for the accolade, the winner of which will be decided by public vote.

Save Our Services was launched to urge a rethink of controversial plans to overhaul parts of the NHS in north, west and east Cumbria - most controversially radically reforming maternity care at Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital and the closure of community hospital beds in Maryport, Wigton and Alston.

There was a huge response to the campaign, with 10,000 people signing our petition backing the calls.

Proposals for maternity reforms are being referred to the Secretary of State for Health.

It's that response - and the way you shared with us your reasons for wanting to safeguard services - that has the campaign shortlisted for the award.

Chris Story, associate editor of the News & Star, said: "We're incredibly proud of the Save Our Services campaign, which is a strong example of how newspapers such as ours can stand up for and voice the concerns of our communities.

"Our readers want improvements to NHS services - and understand the need for change - but came to us with genuine fears about the proposals.

"The response was amazing. It is a cause which really has galvanised communities."

With key decisions about the future of services having been made - including a 12-month reprieve for maternity services in Whitehaven in an attempt to tackle recruitment issues and a pledge to shift more resources into community care despite bed closures - the campaign continues.

"As our readers expect, we will hold decision-makers to account over the promises they have made while also supporting the critical work that being done by NHS leaders in Cumbria to secure the people and skills needed to safeguard services for the future," added Chris.

Vote for Save Our Services at http://www.localnewspaperweek.co.uk/Making-a-Difference

The winner will be announced at the Society of Editors' Regional Press Awards in London on Friday.