The country's leading housing associations will discover if they have won a 'housing Oscar', when the National Housing Federation's Neighbourhood Awards are held next week.

GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly will host the awards in Birmingham on Thursday September 18 evening.

Thirty six housing associations from across the country will battle it out in 11 categories.

The annual awards, which attracted over 330 entries, celebrates the work, commitment and ingenuity housing associations have demonstrated in the neighbourhoods they operate in.

All but one of the award winners are selected by tenant judges, with the overall winner chosen by a panel of housing experts.

The categories include a best neighbour award, which recognises the contribution an individual has made to improving their community, and a greener neighbourhood gong, which will be handed to the association with the most impressive environmental credentials.

Federation chief executive David Orr said:

"The Neighbourhood Awards celebrate the enormous contribution housing associations are making to communities up and down the country and are unique because the winners of each category are chosen by the tenants themselves.

"We look forward to welcoming all those short-listed to the awards next week, in what should be quite a night."

The event will be held on the second day of the Federation's annual conference.