Ref. 28959-49A GRANDFATHER who set up a campaign to educate young people of the dangers of solvent abuse has won the Evening Advertiser's Personality of the Year competition.

Larry Perring, from Washpool in West Swindon lost his 13-year-old grandson Gary, who died after inhaling an aerosol.

Gary had lived with his grandparents and Mr Perring was determined that his death would not be in vain.

Mr Perring won nearly 60 per cent of the votes in the Adver poll.

On being named Personality of the Year, he said: "Winning this gives us hope to carry on with the campaign. I am over the moon about it. We have worked hard and it was a sad loss but we're going to keep the campaign going.

"Over Christmas I really missed the little lad because normally he would have been charging around here but this just shows that people do care and it's worth doing what we are doing.

"We're just going to keep going and going and we hope to get the message out all over the country. It was very nice to be nominated for the competition and to win it is fantastic."

All five nominees for the competition varied considerably from one another but they had all made tremendous achievements in the face of adversity, whether it was for the community or within their own lives.

Penhill's Sue Harrington came second with 16 per cent of the votes for her battle against yobs and vandals who have been making life hell for residents. Sue, who has suffered a barrage of abusive reprisals for her crime-fighting efforts, was a key player in setting up the Avebury Road Residents' Association and re-igniting a sense of community spirit in the area.

Swindon-born explorer David Hempleman Adams was third with 15 per cent as he continues to astound us with his unceasing appetite for adventure.

The 48-year-old balloonist, mountaineer and polar explorer has travelled across the globe in his attempts to break world-records.

But he still finds time to support local events, showing he has not forgotten home.

Next was Jan Andersen with 11 per cent of the votes, who despite her son committing suicide two years ago, has been working tirelessly ever since. The 45-year-old writer from Freshbrook has had an active year campaigning to help other families deal with grief.

Jan, who has three other children, runs a website to help parents and youngsters deal with suicide

Former pupil of Bradon Forest School, Billie Piper, who has had a year of ups and downs, came bottom of the Personality of the Year list after receiving no votes from the people of Swindon.

Gareth Bethell