IT is the time of the year to nominate the Braintree District’s top sporting stars for 2017.

The prestigious awards are about to celebrate their fourth year and organisers are looking forward to the pick of the crop being put forward to battle it out for the honours.

Once again, accolades will be up for grabs for individuals, teams, coaches and volunteers who keep local clubs working.

Councillor Peter Tattersley, Braintree Council's cabinet member for health and communities, said: “These awards are a highlight of the District’s sporting calendar where we recognise and celebrate those in the community who make a difference in sport and physical activity as well as encourage others.

"We want to reach out and remind local sports organisations, schools, clubs and athletes to nominate their worthy students, coaches and teams.”

There will be ten categories with trophies handed out at a gala ceremony on Monday, November 13 at The College of Braintree, but nominations have to be received by no later than 5pm on Friday, October 6.

Nominations can be completed online at www.activeessex.org/active-braintree-sports-awards or by emailing active@braintree.gov.uk

If anyone requires a paper copy, they can contact Braintree District Council who will send one in the post or visit Causeway House to collect a form.

The event is again being supported by the Braintree and Witham Times, who are sponsoring the Lifetime Achievement award, with other local organisations and companies sponsoring a variety of categories.

The award categories are: Sports Personality of the Year (sponsored by George Yard); Young Sports Personality of the Year (sponsored by Milbank); Physical activity project of the year/changing lives around physical activity; Services to Disability Sport;Unsung Hero (Volunteer); Young Community Volunteer (sponsored by Braintree District Council Chairman); Community Club of the Year (sponsored by Fusion); Coach of the Year; School or College of the Year (sponsored by Braintree Freeport); Lifetime Services Award (sponsored by Braintree & Witham Times).

Last year’s Braintree Sports Personality was Witham taekwondo ace Matt Clark while the Young Sports Personality was BMX racer Adam Gilbert and Braintree Bowmen Archery Club's Pamela Hardy took the Coach of the Year award.

John Wood, chairman of the Active Braintree District Network, said: “I am pleased to announce the fourth Active Braintree Sports and Physical Activity Awards are now open for nominations and would encourage all those involved in sport and physical activity to consider nominating a coach, volunteer, club, school or sports personality for an award.

"The awards pay tribute to and honour those who get involved and give up their valuable time to support others.”

You can watch the awards live on Braintree District Council’s Facebook page on the night as well as joining in on the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #ActiveAwards to find out the latest on the winners.