THE shortlist for the 2011 Local Heroes Awards has been confirmed ahead of the awards night on Thursday, December 1.

The Northern Echo’s flagship awards ceremony is known as “the Oscars of grassroots sport” and this year’s list of candidates is stronger than ever.

A judging panel featuring representatives from the ten category sponsors met at The Northern Echo’s offices to sift through hundreds of nominations.

The group, which was chaired by The Northern Echo’s editor, Peter Barron, was extremely impressed with the breadth and quality of this year’s entrants, but eventually compiled a shortlist of three candidates in each category.

Ten winners were then selected, and after much deliberation, the overall Local Hero for 2011 was chosen.

The results will be revealed at a ceremony at Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield.

Last year’s overall winner was John Schofield, who was rewarded for a lifetime’s dedication to tennis.

Mr Schofield joined Yarm Tennis Club in 1968, and has pioneered disability tennis, both in the North-East and nationally.

Mr Barron said: “Every year the standard of entries seems to rise, but this year we have been particularly impressed by the candidates who have been nominated to us.

“This is the 12th year of the awards, and I think the judges would agree that it has been harder than ever to pick an overall winner because there are so many people and teams who deserve a great deal of recognition.

“There can only be ten category winners though, and we’re looking forward to revealing who they are at the start of next month.”

As ever, some of the North- East’s biggest sporting stars have already pledged to support the event. Big names including Steve McClaren, Tony Mowbray, Mick Wadsworth, Steve Cram and Dale Benkenstein will be in attendance at Hardwick Hall to help hand out the awards.