As Olympic-fever grips the nation in the build up to London 2012, Blue Bell will be championing young sporting stars throughout the region, and recognising the area’s most promising talent in its Blue Bell Young Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Blue Bell Wilmslow, together with its media partners the Wilmslow Express and Macclesfield Express, is scouring the region for up and coming talent, inviting nominations from Wilmslow, Macclesfield and the surrounding areas.

If you are aged between 11 – 18 years old and have a special sporting talent, or know someone that does, whatever the sport, go to www.thebluebellgroup.co.uk/youngsportspersonality to enter before the closing deadline of 31 May 2012.

Blue Bell has compiled a prestigious judging panel that will be tasked with selecting finalists for the competition, who will be in with a chance of winning the much coveted Blue Bell Young Sports Personality of the Year trophy and a state of the art mountain bike. The judges include Sports Editor for the Wilmslow Express and Macclesfield Express, Mike Glendinning, Blue Bell Group Managing Director, Sue Brownson OBE, Sales Director at Blue Bell Wilmslow, Jason Shenton, and the region’s very own Team GB hopeful, hockey player Alastair Brogdon.

Bowdon-based Alastair is an international hockey star, who currently holds 39 caps for England, and four for Great Britain, with two major medals to his name - a 2009 Amsterdam European Championship gold and a Champions Trophy silver. Blue Bell Wilmslow recently announced its exclusive sponsorship deal with Alastair, which will see the dealership support the London 2012 hopeful in meeting his transportation needs for training, competitions and events.

Alastair comments: “I am delighted to be teaming up with Sue, Mike and Jason to find the Blue Bell Young Sports Personality of the Year. With London 2012 fast approaching, the spotlight is definitely on the country’s sporting talent and I am excited to see what the region has to offer. I know that we have some extremely talented youngsters in the area, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate the stars of the future.”

Sue Brownson OBE, Blue Bell Group Managing Director, adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young sports stars throughout the region to receive the recognition they deserve. The local area is brimming with excellent sports clubs and plenty of young talent, and we are pleased to be able to reward them with this exciting initiative. Blue Bell is proud to support local grass-roots sports stars and we are looking forward to meeting some of the region’s finest athletes.”