A nationwide search for Britain's favourite Lottery-funded projects has got underway following the launch of the National Lottery Awards 2009 (NLA).

Now into its sixth year, the NLA have been designed to recognise the difference that a range of projects have made across the country, with more than £22bn invested by the National Lottery over the past 15 years. The awards comprise seven categories, including sports, arts and heritage, and projects of all sizes can be put forward before the deadline for nominations closes on 13 March.

Among the winners of the NLA 2008 was The Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, which received the Best Heritage Project, while Get Active in the Forest in South Derbyshire picked up the Best Sports Project award. Lisa Snowdon, NLA ambassador, said: "The National Lottery Awards recognise the hard work, talent and amazing dedication of the every day heroes involved in running Lottery-funded projects, both large and small, up and down the UK."

Nominated projects will go through two rounds of public voting before being shortlisted for the finals. Winning projects will be announced on BBC Television later this year.