HUNDREDS of votes been flooding in as people fought to determine who deserved the crown of The Coast: Great Citizen 2009.

We can now reveal the two finalists chosen by Daily Echo readers are 58-year-old grandfather Graham Curtis, who has fostered more than 80 children, and disabled 45-year-old granny Isobel Butler, who has rescued hundreds of women from domestic violence.

There were thousands of votes cast which coming in right until the last minute, with the final count being very close.

A panel of judges will have to decide who wins the grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime cruise for two in the South of France stopping off at Cannes, Monte Carlo and St Tropez.

The runner-up will get a P&O mini-cruise, a gala dinner and a cocktail party.

The final decision will be announced on May 1.

Thornhill grandmother Pauline Hart, 54, who narrowly missed out on a place in the final will not walk away empty handed.

Her tireless efforts working with troubled youths and taking them into her home will be rewarded with a luxury spar break at Carey's Manor, tickets to see The Mousetrap show, flowers and Champagne.

The judges' choice and a guest will join winners from the Isle of Wight, Bournemouth and Portsmouth when they set sail on May 28.