FOLLOWING the huge success of last year, The Northern Echo is today beginning our Cricketer of the Year competition. But can anybody match the feat of last year's winner?

Anthony McMahon of Chester-le-Street hit six sixes in an over - a truly remarkable feat - to be crowned King.

The 14-year-old also secured a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's youngest cricketer to hit six sixes in six deliveries. The feat came at Eppleton, a game which Chester-le-Street under-13s ultimately lost.

Sponsored by cricket equipment and trophy specialist Mike Gough Sports of Hartlepool, the competition is open to all amateur players in the North-East throughout the summer months.

So if you, a relation or teammate has achieved a spectacular feat while playing for your team, we want to hear from you.

Each nominated player must have made their mark while playing in a recognised North-East league or cup competition.

There's an award made each month, with each monthly winner batting - or bowling - for the overall honour which will be made when the season ends.

The three judges - sports editor Nick Loughlin, Local Heroes editor Craig Stoddart and The Northern Echo's deputy editor Colin Tapping - will consider all nominations every month and the winner will be announced in the Local Heroes supplement.

As well as a monthly trophy, the summer's finest cricketer will not only receive another piece of silverware but a cricket bat signed by the Durham CC squad.

The nomination form will appear each week throughout the season.

Last year's monthly winners:

April/May: Anthony McMahon - hit six sixes in an over for Chester-le-Street under-13s in an over which included no no balls. Anthony's amazing over came in a match at Eppleton which Chester-le-Street ultimately lost but the defeat meant little after the youngster's innings which totalled 54

June: Keith Bailey - playing for Castle Eden in a local cup final, Keith took a hat-trick - hitting the stumps with all three balls and he went on to bowl four overs, conceding just 18 runs. An impressed umpire called it the best piece of spin bowling he'd ever seen

July: Michael Robinson - the youngster took five wickets for no runs in 2.4 overs and in doing so became the first player at Evenwood CC to achieve the feat. He recorded the figures in an under-15s game against Mainsforth in the South Division of the Durham County Junior League

August: Lee Tinkler - playing for Willington Under-15s against Sedgefield in a semi-final, Lee opened the batting but was stunned when bowled out for a duck. However, he bounced back to take eight wickets for just two runs and managed three maidens

September: Henry Blackett - averaged 75 for Great Ayton under-15s, was awarded top bowler in the Langbaurgh Under-15s League following a successful season for Ingelby Greenhow and was invited for Yorkshire county trials while he also represented the club's 1st and 2nd teams.