SPORTING stars will be vying for honours in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire County Sports Partnership awards.

The ceremony is taking place at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium tonight (Thursday).

It is the culmination of the sporting awards which took place earlier in the year across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Steve Brewster, director of The Herefordshire and Worcestershire County Sports Partnership, said: "These awards are the two counties most prestigious grass roots sports awards. We have now selected the three top sports people in each category and are delighted to announce them.”

Kidderminster-born swimmer Todd Cooper, who represented Great Britain in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will be the guest speaker.

Herefordshire Paralympian swimming star Sascha Kindred OBE will also be among the guests.

Herefordshire sportsmen and women have been included in the shortlist for the honours in various sections.

Senior Male Sports Personality of the Year: James Bird, Kingfisher Aikido Club, Redditch, STAN CANTRILL, Leominster Judo Club, Hereford, Tom Walker, Samurai Judo Club, Kidderminster; Senior Female Sports Personality of the Year: Helen Russell, Bromsgrove & Redditch Athletics Club, SARAH LLOYD-STEPHENS, Hereford Wheelers Cycling Club, Kate Walker, Samurai Judo Club, Kidderminster; Junior Male Sports Personality of the Year: Ben Colley, North Bromsgrove High School, Andrew Chung, Redditch Youth Fencing Club, STEVE TUCK, Ross Rowing Club; Contribution to Physical Activity: Hayley Gwilliam, Redditch Borough Council, HEREFORDSHIRE VOLUNTARY WALK LEADERS, Herefordshire Sports Council; Colin Tether, Wychavon District Council; Disabled Sports Personality of the Year: ALISON MOORE, Riding for Disabled Association, Herefordshire Sports Council, Hereford; Scott Ballard-Ridley, Evesham Rowing Club; Charlotte Fisher, Bromsgrove & Redditch Athletics Club.

Club of the Year: Ross Rowing Club, Herefordshire Sport, Black Pear Joggers, Worcester City Council, Keep On Moving Disability Sports Club, Bromsgrove District Council; Junior Club Team of the Year: Stourport Boys Hockey Club, U18s, Wyre Forest District Council, ROSS JUNIOR ROWING CLUB, Herefordshire Sports Council, Hereford, Evesham Junior Rowing Club, Wychavon District Council; Outstanding Contribution of the Year: JOHN PRICE, Ross Rowing Club, Colin Emms, Littleton Football Club, Evesham, Nick Husbands, Bromsgrove Cricket Club, Bromsgrove.