TONIGHT'S the night they've all been talking about in the world of grass roots sport. The Local Heroes Awards 2000 will be presented to a host of unsung stars at Darlington Football Club's Ambassador Suite tonight.

Rio Ferdinand might be making football history by signing for Leeds for £18m and £50,000-a-week, but tonight is about those who play sport for the sheer love of it.

The winners have been selected by a panel of judges from nominations sent in by you - the readers of Local Heroes.

Century FM's Paul "Goffy" Gough will be there to help compere the evening, which has been organised by The Northern Echo in association with the sponsors of Local Heroes, Darlington Building Society.

All those shortlisted will receive a commemorative certificate, with the category winners being presented with a special trophy by Peter Rowley, Chief Executive of Darlington Building Society.

The overall winner will receive £500 to spend on sports equipment.

As well as the awards, the evening will feature A Sporting Question, with "The Professionals" taking on "The Readers".

With Goffy adopting the mantle of Sue Barker, former Boro and Newcastle star John Hendrie, Durham cricketer Michael Gough and Northern Echo sports editor Nick Loughlin will form "The Professionals" team.

The Readers will be captained by Darlington hairdresser Nigel Dowson, whose specialist subject will be quoits.

Mr Dowson said: "John Hendrie was a great footballer and Michael Gough's one of the most promising cricketers in the country - but they'll know nowt about quoits! We're gonna stuff them."

Goffy said last night: "I've had a sneak preview of the winners and there are some truly heart-warming stories to be told.

"These are the real local heroes of the sporting scene and they deserve their moment in the spotlight.