Search begins for the town's sporting heroes

And a host of other sporting achievements will be celebrated at Littlehampton Sports Forum's inaugural Sports Awards in June.

They will be launched on Tuesday at a special meeting of the forum, when nominations will open for those in the town who have gained sporting successes, and for the backroom heroes who give up their time to help sports teams and organisations.

As well as Sportsperson of the Year, there are eight further categories:

l Young Sportsperson of the Year;

l Sports Team of the Year;

l Youth Sports Team of the Year;

l Coach of the Year;

l Contribution to Youth Sport;

l Sports Administrator of the Year;

l Contribution to Disabled Sport;

l Lifetime Achievement.

Nominations will close on May 31 and, following consideration by a judging panel, the winners will be announced at an invitation-only awards ceremony on June 21.

Sports forum chairman, town councillor John Singleton, said: "It is essential to the development of sport for all in the community that those who work tirelessly within the sporting arena are recognised. Those who achieve excellence also deserve to have their achievements highlighted.

"I am sure these awards will be very successful and will go from strength to strength in future years."

Nomination packs will be available at Tuesday's meeting, and anyone who cannot attend should contact Steve Trice, telephone 01903 732063, or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk