AFTER A memorable sporting year globally with the Olympics and Euro 2004 football behind us, it is time to turn the focus on to Cumbria and decided who deserve the accolades in this year's Cumbria Sports Awards.

The main award is, of course, the Cumbria Sports Personality of the Year Award and the hunt is on for candidates to take over the mantle from last year's winner, Gary Lockerbie, the Penrith golfer.

Nominations are now being sought for this prestigious award, along with the seven other categories that provide opportunities to recognise various levels of successful sport performances, in addition to the support services of administration and coaching.

The introduction last year of a new Award, "Active Sports Coach of the Year" which is restricted to those coaches who work on the Sport England/Cumbria Sports Partnership funded programme, proved to be very successful, and is included again this year. The awards will be presented on Friday, December 3, 2004 at the Annual Presentation Dinner at the Low Wood Hotel, Windermere.

Nominations for junior/senior individual and team, special needs (disabled), best coach and special awards can be made, with a short letter outlining the achievements, to the Messenger , I Wainwright's Yard, Westmorland, Cumbria LA9 4DP