BOLTON is preparing to honour its sporting heroes.

The men and women, boys and girls, whose dedication has not only brought personal achievement but kept the town on the sporting map.

It is the third year the Bolton Evening News has launched its search for Bolton's sporting best and again the quality across a wide spectrum of sport is simply outstanding.

The judging panel has sifted through the nominations and drawn up the short list from which the BEN Sports Awards will be chosen and announced at a gala dinner at Bolton's Festival Hall on Friday, November 3.

The major award is the BEN Sports Personality of the Year, won last year by local cricket administrator May Barlow, who was not only a tireless worker for her own club Little Lever, but also for clubs throughout the area..

There is also the Team of the year, scooped by the Bolton Cricket Association's representative side last year, and the Special Achievement Award, which went to wheelchair tennis and basketball player Chris Greenhalgh.

The town's young stars are also recognised with their own categories.

Last year the Junior Personality Award went to speedway rider James Mann while Little Lever's under 13s cricket squad took the Junior Team title.

Bolton Forum for Sport have also have their own awards and they will announce the winners of their Lifetime Achievement Award, Sport Investment Award, Special Achievement and Coach of the Year at the dinner.

It's a glittering night when the town salutes its stars and you can be there as well. There are a limited number of tickets available to the public.

SPORTS PERSONALITY

Anthony Howard - Olympic swimmer

Gary Harold - Horwich Harriers

Mike Faraday - marathon runner

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT

Peter James-Robinson - Disabled Games

Rob Hodgkiss - Transplant Games winner

Sophie Hancock - swimming

JUNIOR SPORTS PERSONALITY

Jessica Bowman - hockey international

Brian Hall - junior international high jumper

Rebecca Tong - table tennis

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Horwich Modern Pentathlon Club

Bolton RUFC first team

Farnworth SC U-18s cricket team

JUNIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR

Bolton Eagles in-line hockey

Bolton Wrestling Club

Sharples U 13s football team