NOMINATIONS are now being sort for one of the major events in the local sporting calendar.

The Blackburn and District Sports Council's annual awards is the opportunity to celebrate sporting stars and unsung heroes across the borough.

The awards will include 10 categories including the young volunteer and coach of the year sections which were included for the first time last year.

Winners of these categories - along with the recipients of the club of the year, young personality and special award for services to sport - will go forward to represent Blackburn with Darwen Council in next year's Lancashire Sport Awards.

Steve Lee, secretary of the Blackburn and District Sports Council, said: "The event is not only a chance to celebrate the achievements of individuals and clubs across the borough but also highlight the wealth of different sports we have to offer.

"We added two new categories last year and it proved to be a huge success. We have been running these awards for a long time now and they have firmly become a part of the sporting calendar."

He added: "The nominations have been coming in but we would love to see lots more and there is plenty of time to get those entries in."

The full list of categories are: club of the year, team of the year, school team of the year, official of the year, young volunteer of the year (16 - 24 years of age), coach of the year, junior sports personality (16 years and under), senior sports personality, special award for services to sport (minimum of 20 years service), awards for international achievement Closing Date for nominations is December 12 and for further details and a nomination form, contact Sports Council secretary Steve Lee on 01254 298330.