It's time to get your thinking caps on again!

Colchester’s leading sportsmen and women are preparing for a night in the spotlight at the town’s annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

And the winners of the various categories, rewarded for their tremendous achievements during the last calendar year, are down to you.

Colchester’s most prestigious annual sporting awards were first made over 30 years ago and this year’s event will again be sponsored by the Gazette, in partnership with the Colchester Blackwater Schools Sports Partnership.

In order to help fund it, the individual trophies are sponsored by local businesses and organisations – Colchester Skip Hire, Sportsafe, HUR Health and Fitness Equipment, GS Contracts, Mick Duffet Plumbing and Heating, Colchester Trophy Centre, Lake Bushells, Ross Knevett Sport Injury Specialist, The University of Essex, Colchester Institute and DJ Baker Electrical Contractors.

Without the support of these sponsors, the event would be very difficult to sustain.

Mark Llloyd, chairman of Sport Colchester, said: “We are very pleased to be organising the event again this year.

“Over the last several years it has grown into one of the most prestigious awards events in the East of England.

“It recognises the achievements of many outstanding sports people in the borough – people of whom Colchester should be justly proud.

“I also thank the Gazette, the SSP and the trophy sponsors for their continuing financial support, without which it could not take place.”

For a voting form, see Thursday's Gazette.