Wiltshire's sporting heroes, both on the field and behind the scenes, will be in the spotlight this month at the third Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Awards on Thursday, September 20.
 

This year more than 120 nominations were put forward for the awards which recognise the exceptional work and achievements of athletes, sports clubs, volunteers and coaches from across Wiltshire and Swindon.

The top three nominations from each category have been invited to the awards event at the Steam Museum in Swindon.
 

The ceremony will be hosted by former Bath and England rugby captain Phil de Glanville and will also be attended by Shelley Rudman, 2006 skeleton bob olympic silver medallist and 2012 World Cup champion. 
 

Following the success of last year’s awards, the 2012 Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Awards will be jointly hosted by Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Health Improvement Partnership, NHS Wiltshire, Wiltshire and Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership, Swindon Borough Council, NHS Swindon, and supported by Liquid Media and Sports Coach UK.
 

Stuart Wheeler, cabinet member for leisure, said: "These awards recognise the amazing achievements of the county's athletes but also the incredible support and hard work that goes on behind the scenes from clubs, volunteers and coaches.

"In this Olympic year when we see so many successful gold medallists paying tribute to their support team it is fitting that our awards ceremony recognises all those involved in making sports a success in our county.”
 

Cllr Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Corporate Services, said: “We have enjoyed a wonderful summer of sport and our sports awards are a great opportunity to showcase the outstanding work going on at grassroots level in Swindon and Wiltshire.

" I would like to congratulate all our shortlisted sporting heroes for all their achievements and wish them luck for the awards themselves.”