ON Saturday 25 March 2017, millions of people worldwide will switch their lights off for Earth Hour.

This hour is a time to send a message to our leaders that we want action to protect the future of our brilliant planet, and to reflect on the ways that we can individually reduce our impact.

But there are already heroes in our communities who are going that extra mile for our planet every day, and we want to know about them.

WWF and People’s Postcode Lottery have launched the Earth Hour Heroes competition to find and recognise the efforts of these special unsung heroes.

As a WWF Ambassador, I am urging your readers to help seek out these heroes amongst us, who make a real difference in helping protect our planet, and inspire others through their actions, as this is no easy task and should be rewarded.

I encourage people in your local community to nominate themselves or others for awards in three different categories – for their efforts in their home, workplace or community. Winners will receive £1,000 each, and will be presented their award at an exclusive ceremony at the Palace of Westminster.

We are seeing the result of our impact on the planet through devastating species loss, and climate change that could endanger millions of human lives.

All this takes a terrible toll on the wildlife and ecosystems, which not only enrich our planet but that we fundamentally depend on.

A brighter future for our planet can start with each of us, and there has never been a better time to shine a spotlight on how individual people everywhere can begin to make a real difference, starting in our own homes, families, communities and businesses.

To find out more and to nominate your heroes, please go to wwf.org.uk/EarthHourHeroes.

Kevin McCloud, via e-mail.

THERE is more than a hint of irony that as Scotland, along with the UK, prepares to leave the European Union, the island of Malta, with a population less than that of Edinburgh has just taken over the Presidency of the EU.

The presidency is responsible for driving forward the Council's work on EU legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda, orderly legislative processes and cooperation among member states.

This is the first time the island will hold the Presidency and during the next 6 months will focus on six key areas: migration, single market, security, social inclusion, Europe's neighbourhood and maritime sector. Leading the EU.

Interestingly Estonia, with a population of less than 1.4 million people, around a quarter that of Scotland, will take over the EU Presidency in July.

During the independence referendum, the Better Together camp claimed that the only way to guarantee Scotland’s place in the EU was to vote to remain in the UK. Indeed, Scotland was to “lead the UK” not “leave the UK”.

Times have indeed changed since September 2014 and we are, despite these assurances, heading for the EU exits.

Of course, we could have the best of both worlds, part of a single market with the rest of the UK - as promised to Northern Ireland in its relations with the Republic of Ireland - and still members of the EU.

For that to happen of course requires the confidence, as Malta and Estonia have demonstrated, to take full control of our own affairs and be the masters of our own destiny, leading not leaving the EU.

Alex Orr, Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh. Via e-mail.

BRITISH Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland is asking locals to nominate their Heart Hero for our Heart Hero Awards 2017.

The four categories this year are: Inspiration award, Fighting spirit award, Young hero award, Heart health professional award.

These awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional contribution of our supporters, fundraisers, volunteers and partners who have made an exceptional contribution to our fight for every heartbeat.

Last year’s winners included four-year old Ellie Payne who raised over £24,000 for the BHF and Jenny Kumar who joined friends to organise a photography exhibition in which heart patients proudly show their scars.

Since the BHF was established the annual number of deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK has fallen by half.

In the 1960s more than 7 out of 10 heart attacks were fatal. Today at least 7 out of 10 people survive – and as a result of the improvements, today and every day 200 more people will survive a heart attack in the UK alone.

We are asking locals to nominate their Heart Hero, so that we can celebrate their achievements in helping us to eradicate this devastating disease.

To find out more and to sign up, go to our website www.bhf.org.uk/heartheroes

James Cant, Director, British Heart Foundation Scotland. Via e-mail.