THE Bridport and Lyme Regis News is bringing back the Terry Collin Award – and we are calling on readers to nominate your unsung sporting heroes.

Fred Bowditch was the last person to scoop the award, which was set up in memory of former sports editor Terry Collin, at a special presentation ceremony in Beaminster in 2007.

Following a four-year absence, the accolade is being revived and now a new recipient worthy of it is needed to follow in the footsteps of Mr Bowditch.

Terry, who died suddenly back in October 2002, was trusted throughout the community and had a reputation of the highest quality, with his love for local sport evident through his work.

Furthermore, he was a champion of those who brought credit to sport in any capacity and his caring attitude to such people was unquestionable.

Heather Crabb, his sister and spokesperson for the Terry Collin Fund, said: “Terry was well known and very popular in the Bridport area.

“He died very suddenly and it was a shock to everyone in the town.

“I remember that everywhere I went people were talking about it. He lived for his sport and that came across in his work.

“We started this award as a way of remembering him and recognising unsung sporting heroes in the community. It’s always been very well supported in the area.

“We also set up the Terry Collin Fund and that continues to raise money for disabled athletes in the region such as Joe Allen, who won two medals at the Junior World Championships last year.”

The News is inviting written recommendations of potential recipients.

We want to know – in no more than 300 words – who the person is and what group they represent and why they deserve the Terry Collin Trophy, as well as a contact name and telephone number.

Only one nomination per club or group will be considered and previous nominations can be resubmitted.

Please get your nominations to us before the closing date of Thursday, June 30.

Nominees will be featured in the columns of this newspaper during the run-up to the presentation this summer.

And once all nominees have been featured, readers will be offered the chance to vote for whom they think is deserving of the award.

Nominations should be submitted to Bridport News Sports Editor, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9XD or emailed to sport@bridportnews.co.uk