THE search is on for the Local Hero of 2000 - the outstanding performer in the world of grass roots sport here in the North-East.

It is now over a year since The Northern Echo launched its Local Heroes supplement to honour the thousands of people in the region who play sport for the sheer love of it.

And we've decided it is time to launch the inaugural Local Heroes Awards and ask you for nominations.

A fun-packed night is planned at Darlington Football Club's Ambassador Suite on the night of Friday November 24.

We'll be presenting Local Heroes trophies to the winners of a string of categories - plus £500 of sports equipment to the overall Local Hero. There'll also be sets of new strips for the team winners.

The evening will also feature a Sporting Question - a panel game in the style of Question of Sport - featuring local celebrities.

More details will be announced as the weeks go by, but in the meantime, we want your help in finding the Local Heroes of 2000.

Please fill in the nomination form on this page and tell us why you believe someone deserves a Local Hero award.

They may have overcome great adversity to carry on playing; they may have put in some outstanding performances on the field of endeavour; they may simply have made you laugh.

Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo, said: "Local Heroes is a world away from the sportsmen who earn fortunes for the privilege of playing sport. It is dedicated to those who do it for the love of it.

"Local Heroes is packed with great stories every week from local football, cricket, table tennis, quoits, badminton and almost every other sport you can think of so it shouldn't be too hard to find the award-winners."

Here are the categories:

l U-16 Special Achievement Award (Presented to the Local Hero who was done most to overcome adversity in the field of local amateur sport).

l Over-16 Special Achievement Award

l U-16 Unsung Hero Award (Presented to the Local Hero who has displayed outstanding commitment or loyalty behind the scenes to help a sporting organisation. They may not be the ones who claim the glory but their role is crucial.)

l Over 16 Unsung Hero Award.

l Game For A Laugh Award (Presented to the Local Hero who has brought a smile to the faces of others by a stunt, accident or through sheer personality.)

l U-16 Outstanding Performance Award (Presented to the Local Hero who has put in an outstanding performance in his/her field).

l Over-16 Outstanding Performance Award.

l Local Heroes Team Award (Presented to the adult team which has most impressed the judges with their commitment, efforts, or success.)

l Local Heroes School Team Award (Presented to the school team which has most impressed the judges).

l Local Hero Award 2000 (The most prestigious award, presented to the overall outstanding amateur sportsman or woman of the year. This award may or may not go to the winner of one of the other categories).