THE Star and the Steve Prescott Foundation can today reveal the shortlist for the 2015 Solarking Pride of St Helens Awards.

This year's ceremony takes place at Langtree Park on Friday, November 13 and will see 35 individuals and organisations saluted for their achievements and inspirational acts before the overall winners are announced.

Among the contenders for the night's headline Pride of St Helens award are Saints great Paul Wellens, who hung his boots up earlier this year, and Emmerdale actor Michael Parr, who grew up on the Hard Lane estate.

St HelensYoung Carers organisation, which provides invaluable support to hundreds of youngsters who care for sick or disabled parents or siblings, is also in contention.

Judges spent more than three hours at Saints' stadium deliberating after hundreds of nominations were submitted for the awards, now in their fourth year.

The event was founded by the late Steve Prescott who wanted to create a celebration of everything that is best about St Helens.

Star editor Andrew Kilmurray said: "We had some tremendous entries this year, which again underlines how many talented people and outstanding organisations we have across St Helens. I know it was a very tough task for the judges coming up with the selections and unfortunately we can't find places for everyone who was nominated.

"One of the aims of Pride, which I know Steve was passionate about, was to encourage towns people to shout about all the good things that are going on in St Helens rather than looking at negatives.

"We have some way to go yet but as a town we are getting better at championing achievement."

Star readers will recognise names from some of the stories featured in the newspaper's pages from over the past year. They include gymnast Rachael Letsche who won the senior women’s World Tumbling Championship crown in Florida, little Isaac Haggerty, who has kept smiling while fighting leukaemia, and the Nicholas family, who have led a campaign for more people to be checked for hidden cardiac conditions following the death of their son James.

There are many other stories of inspiration that will feature on category pages in this week's Star.

Solarking Pride of St Helens Awards 2015 shortlist

Solarking Pride of St Helens

Paul Wellens

Mike Parr

St Helens Young Carers

OD's Community Hero

Terry Maguire

David Pope

Darren Rigby

Saints Sportsperson of the Year

Rachael Letsche

Tony Griffiths

Martin Murray

St Helens Council Young Sportsperson

Lauren Bate Lowe

Ben Walkden

Olivia Hussey

McDonalds Mentor of the Year

Stephen Cruse

Anne Brian

Jenny Leyland

St Helens Chamber Excellence in Business Award

ST Group

Paul Griffiths (Westfield Street Music Festival)

Steve Caunce

Young Community Star

Keiran Lynch Thomas

Paisley Kerswell

Callum Webster and Toby Booth

Hattons Solicitors Courage Award

Liam Waterworth

Andy Potter

Neil Tucker

Imperial Arts Award

Stuart Pyke

Michael Parr

Watch this Space

Carmel College Education Award

Nicola Thompson

Holy Cross Primary School

Laura Foster

NGF Champion Fundraiser

Joan Crank

The Nicholas Family

Kelly Wellens

Haydock Park Racecourse Child of Courage

Freddie Barker

Isaac Haggerty

Kenzie Appleton