BOXER Amir Khan will help to host this year's star-studded Bolton Black and Asian Achievement Awards ceremony.

The awards, which aim to recognise "unsung heroes" who have made an outstanding contribution to Bolton's black and Asian community, will be held on Friday evening at Bolton Town Hall

Amir, the Olympic silver medallist, who has now turned professional, is a past award winner. Musical entertainment during the evening will be provided by up-and-coming Bolton-born pop singer Jessica Moon.

Bolton Black and Asian Achievement Awards funding development consultant, Donald Gayle, said: "We've had loads of nominations but we've managed to whittle them down to 20 finalists.

"We've had nominations for nurses, neighbours, teachers, youth workers, junior football players.

"They're all from a wide variety of backgrounds but the one thing they've got in common is that they've all made a real difference to the community in Bolton."

The awards have been split into the following categories:

Young People's Award, Life Achievement Award, Diversity Award, Women's Award, Sports Award, Art Award, Role Model/Mentor of the Year Award.

Mr Gayle said: "These awards are about recognising how important it is to share each other's culture and help make Bolton a better place to live."

Ten lucky readers can each win a ticket for the glittering awards evening. Just answer the following question: Who was Bolton's first black mayor?

The first ten people to ring the Black and Asian Achievement Awards office on 01204 848857 with the correct answer will receive a free ticket

For further information about the event visit www.baaa.org.uk