HEROES, showbiz stars, outstanding achievers, unsung community champions and bright young talents are among the shortlist of nominees for the inaugural Solar King Pride of St Helens Awards.

From Andy Kilmurray St Helens Star - Media Partners of The Pride of St Helens Awards

The Star and the Steve Prescott Foundation has been searching for the best the town can offer for the past three months.

And you have delivered – with dozens of amazing stories among nearly 200 nominations making it an immensely difficult challenge for the judging panel to settle on a shortlist.

Inside we reveal those who are in contention for the prizes. Some names you will be familiar with, others are achievements and tales of inspiration that we have not reported previously.

What we hope you will agree on is that they are people this great town should salute.

We believe the shortlist reflects the right blend of unheralded achievers, star quality, bravery and emerging talent.

But we also realise the list will also provoke debate. There are plenty of people of rich calibre who have missed out, such was the quality of names put forward.

What the Steve Prescott Foundation and the Star hope is that people will buy into what the Pride of St Helens stands for.

It is all about showcasing the town’s wonderful success stories and the great people that make them happen.

It is about boosting civic pride and not being afraid to shout about the incredible achievements of St Helens, rather than running ourselves down, a negative trait the town can sometimes be guilty of.

The awards evening will be held on Friday, October 12 at Saints’ Langtree Park, hosted by Jon Wilkin, Steve Prescott and Mike Denning.

We want it to be a celebration of everything that is great about St Helens.

Tickets are still available for the evening, which includes a four-course meal and entertainment. Contact Martin Blondel on 07971792859

The judging panel was Steve Prescott and Mike Denning (of the SPF), Andrew Kilmurray (Star), Andy Mikhail (of the sponsors Solar King), Eamonn McManus (St Helens RFC), Marie Rimmer and Paul Greenall (of St Helens Council).

Tickets are still available for the evening, which includes a four-course meal and entertainment. Contact Martin Blondel on 07971792859.