Talented sports stars and volunteers are to be recognised at an annual awards-do to find the best talent in Great Yarmouth.

The search is on to find those who have contributed the most in the borough, as nominations have opened for the Great Yarmouth Sport Awards 2016.

The scheme which aims to raise awareness of sporting opportunities and excellence, has 12 categories which anyone can put forward their top individual or organisation for an award.

Nominations opened on Monday with the scheme organisers and supporters gathering at Gorleston Green Gym to officially launch the awards.

Attending the launch were the joint winners of the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year, Patrick Manifold and Sophie McKinna.

Mr Manifold has played host of professional basketball teams including the Glasgow Rocks, while Ms McKinna is a shot putter for Team GB, who is hoping to qualify this year for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The categories for 2016 are;

Sporting Primary School of the Year

Sporting Secondary School of the Year

Female Sportsperson of the Year

Male Sportsperson of the Year

Young Sportsperson of the Year

Sports Team of the Year

Community Club of the Year

Volunteer Coach of the Year

High Performance Coach of the Year

Services to Sport - Unsung Hero

Services to Disability Sport

Sporting Business of the Year

All individuals nominated must either live in the Great Yarmouth borough or be involved with a sports organisation based in the borough.

All organisations nominated must be based in the borough.

The winners in each category will be chosen by a panel including Cllr Malcolm Bird, the mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough, and Anne Edwards, the editor of the Great Yarmouth Mercury.

There will also be representatives from Sentinel Leisure Trust, and Great Yarmouth Sports Partnership.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 19, while the results will be revealed at a ceremony at St George’s Theatre on Thursday, September 29.

The top three nominations in each category will also be entered into the county-wide Norfolk Sports Awards.

Cllr Penny Carpenter, said: “This scheme aims to recognise the many and diverse individuals and organisations which contribute so much to their communities through sport in the borough.

“It is a great celebration of our local sporting heroes and a showcase of the sport activities and opportunities available to residents in the borough.”

Nomination forms and full entry criteria are available at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/gy-sports-awards-2016 or from Alex Bond via 07904 538939 or alex.bond@sentinellt.co.uk