HEROIC children will be honoured for their deeds at a prestigious charity event at the Reebok Stadium.

Asda at Middlebrook is hosting the finals of the Local Hero Kids contest at the Lion of Vienna suite tonight.

Bolton Evening News editor Steve Hughes will be among the team of judges choosing the youngster who has proved to be a mini hero in the community.

The eight finalists have all been nominated by customers at the Middlebrook store and will be appearing on the night of the ceremony to chat to the panel of judges.

Alison Power, who has run the Saturdays dance club for the past four years, nominated three youngsters who have worked hard to raise funds for local charities.

She said: "I chose them all for the same reasons -- they have never missed a single fundraising event organised by the Saturdays club and have worked hard to raise as much as possible for charity."

Alison, of Eskrick Street, Bolton, nominated her 10-year-old daughter Lydia Power, who is a pupil at St Matthew's Primary School, Rebecca Hughes, aged 11, who joins Thornleigh School next month and her 10-year-old niece and Church Road Primary School pupil, Amy Heron.

As well as her many fundraising efforts, Lydia cares for her disabled sister Katie, who is wheelchair-bound after being born with her feet facing in the wrong direction. Brett Ratcliffe, of Thornwell, Westhoughton, was nominated by family friend Samantha Mellor for his many fundraising efforts, which have even included him dying his hair blue.

The 12-year-old, who has four brothers, always helps out with his five-year-old brother Rhys who was born without an immune system and needs constant care.

Samantha said: "He is a very direct and active lad who is lovely and he was gob-smacked to find he had been chosen as a finalist."

Pamela Stuchbury nominated her great-nephew Philip Atherton, aged two, of Vale Avenue, Horwich.

Philip, who is an only child, helped his mother Ann Marie after she suffered an epileptic fit in the street, ran home to alert his father and brought back a cushion to place under her head.

Pamela, of Berne Avenue, Horwich, said: "He is a beautiful boy and very thoughtful for his age."

Stalwart fundraiser Linda Rothwell, of New Church Road, Bolton, nominated three of the finalists for their hard work in helping out the community.

Her 14-year-old daughter Jenny, who is a pupil at Smithills, has helped to raise more than £10,000 for charity and is a committed member of the Green Generation which clears litter.

Chloe Weeston, aged 11, of Chip Hill Road, Bolton, was nominated for her tireless fundraising and willingness to always volunteer to help people.

Natalie Eccles, aged 12, was nominated for her work with the St Vincent De Paul group and for helping a neighbour who suffers from Crohn's Disease.

Linda said: "All three girls are a bit overwhelmed to have made it through to the finals, but they have all worked hard and deserve the attention."

A fashion show featuring outfits from the George range of clothing will be held after the contest which starts at 7.30pm.

All money raised on the night will go towards a fund to help little Jayne Mortimer who was born with part of her brain missing.

Jayne, of Chorley Old Road, suffers from epilepsy and has an attention span of only seconds.

Her parents Beverley and Simon hope to recreate a special sensory room like the one at their five-year-old daughter's school at Ladywood and have appealed for help in fund-raising.

They are also hoping to collect enough money to send Jayne to America to swim with dolphins.

Tickets cost £3 and are available at Asda, or Mandy Brown on 384310.