NOMINATIONS for The Northern Echo Local Heroes Awards, the region’s premier grassroots sports awards, close this Friday.

The awards celebrate, recognise and rewards achievements in grassroots sports, giving our local heroes a night to remember.

As well as discovering the region’s most talented sports people, Local Heroes identifies and rewards those people who work behind the scenes. Often they do it for the love of it, and dedicate their lives to grassroots sport, without receiving any recognition.

Who do you know who has given 100 percent and achieved great things in 2016? Are they a sports person, coach, volunteer, groundsman or even a sports club or team?

If you think they deserve a chance of winning one of the coveted Northern Echo Local Heroes Awards, ensure you nominate them before close of play on Friday, October 14.