THE year 2002 was once again a great 12 months for local sportsmen and women - and now it is time to honour them.

Today, the voting starts for the Gazette Sports Personality of the Year.

Last March, rhythmic gymnast Caroline Jackson broke the Basingstoke Bison hold on the event, when she walked off with the glass trophy.

In the previous two years, the award was won by Wayne Crawford and Stephen Foster.

At the end of the day, it's your vote that counts!

You can vote either by register-ing your choice by telephoning 0905 035 1020 and following the telephone prompts, or by filling in and posting the coupon below.

The closing date for postal votes is the first post of March 5, with the phone lines closing at 10am the same day.

The presentation of this coveted award will take place as part of The Gazette Sports Awards at the Apollo Hotel on Friday, March 7.

There is a host of the best in local sport to choose from, with the 25 candidates listed below from right across the sporting spectrum.

Telephone voting, which should take about 30 seconds, is charged at a rate of 35p per minute and only three calls from any one phone number will be accepted.

Call 0905035 1020 and enter one of these codes:

Andy Bonner - Powerlifting - 6670 Ian Calder - Rugby - 6671 Kyle Cannings - Kickboxing - 6672 Christina Carding - Athletics - 6673 Julie Cheung - Tumbling - 6674 Matt Cote - Ice Hockey - 6675 Mike Ellis - Ice Hockey - 6676 Josh Goodall - Tennis - 6677 Jon Govett - Cricket - 6678 Caroline Jackson - Rhythmic Gymnastics - 6679 Shannon Loane & Alex Tait - Ice Skating - 6680 Craig McAllister - Football - 6681 Jean Maton - Powerlifting - 6682 Colin Monk - Darts - 6683 Jamie Norfolk - Cycling - 6684 Chris Norton - Rugby - 6685 Lee Nurse - Cricket - 6686 Michael Piper - Pool - 6687 Amanda Proctor - Athletics -6688 Neville Roach - Football - 6689 Justin Rose - Golf - 6690 Kirsty Taylor - Golf - 6691 Robert Tobin - Athletics - 6692 Shaun Udal - Cricket - 6693 Laura Wood Swimming - 6694