TIME is running out for local youth groups, clubs and organisations who want to reward their young stars with a chance of winning the biggest prize of the year.

There is under four weeks to go before the final of the prestigious annual Trafford Young Person of the Year award - and just days left in which to get nominations to the judging panel.

A top prize of a trophy and £1,000 is up for grabs for the award winner, with five runners-up prizes of £250 each also available to the borough's young champions.

The contest, organised by SAM, aims to recognise some of the many youngsters aged between 15 and 18 who spend their time working hard to help others and become positively involved in their community.

The image of young people in the press is often be a negative one - but in fact it is only a tiny minority who get in trouble and give the rest a bad name.

Schools and colleges across the borough have been naming their champions in the last few weeks - but youth groups, scouts, guides and the like, and even employers who have outstanding young people on their books, have yet to get involved.

The 'six of the best' finalists and their nominators will attend a special awards ceremony to be held at South Trafford College's De Quincey Restaurant on Thursday, July 1, when former Greater Manchester chief constable James Anderton will hand out the prizes.

To nominate someone even at this late stage is easy - call Sue Fitzsimmons on 908-3405 to obtain a set of nomination forms. Each entry will be reviewed by a panel of judges from the sponsor companies - Messenger Newspapers, Manchester Training and Enterprise Council, Damar Training Solutions, South Trafford College, Quick's Motor Group and Trafford Municipal Borough Council before finalists are selected and interviewed.

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