THE competition for honours in the Journal Sports Awards is hotting up, with the voting in many categories already looking set to be thrillingly close.

For the second week, we are printing the official voting form (below), which you will need in order to register your vote for the sportsmen and women who have impressed you most over the past 12 months.

The exciting shortlist of candidates represents both the cream of the district's well-established sporting talent as well as a host of new faces who have broken through to prominence in 2004.

As always, you can vote in as many categories as you wish, but all entries must be on official voting forms - photocopies will not be accepted.

Remember when you send in your vote to include your name, address and daytime telephone number on your form.

All those who cast their votes will be entered into a free prize draw to win a pair of VIP tickets to the gala presentation ceremony at Salisbury City Hall on Thursday, February 3.

More than 50 awards will be handed out at the glittering occasion which will kick off with our now traditional review of the sporting year.

Naturally, the identities of the winners will remain a closely guarded secret right up until the moment the trophies are presented.

Tickets for the event are not on sale to the general public, so the only other way to be among the first to know who the winners are is to be an invited guest.

As well as voting for your favourite stars, it is not too late to tell us about some of your behind-the-scenes heroes, whose efforts make the area's rich sporting life possible.

Dedicated administrators, inspiring school sports teachers and outstanding servants of sports clubs and organisations all do their bit and are celebrated in the Journal Sports Awards alongside those whose exploits on the field, track, course or court win plaudits week-in, week-out.

Once you have completed your voting form, cut it out and send it to our offices in Rollestone Street to arrive before noon on Friday, January 28.