THOUSANDS of people voted and now the winners have been decided – introducing your Mr and Miss Bolton News.

There were hundreds of selfies submitted as people competed for the honour and eventually these were whittled down to the top 20 men and the top 20 women.

Emails flooded in as readers, friends and families got in touch to show their support for who they thought should be Mr and Miss Bolton News.

Once the votes were counted Reece Hopkins, aged 26, from Blackrod and Steph Field, also 26, from Little Lever, were revealed as the winners.

Each entered for amusement and with the help of family and friends they claimed their new titles.

Steph, who works in finance for company Serco, said: “It was just a bit of fun really. I’ve never done any modelling or anything like that before. I was keeping an eye on it when it was the first bit of voting.

“I knew I was doing well but I didn’t think I would actually win.

“I was sharing it on Facebook and everyone just started to vote.”

In the initial round of voting more than 26,000 votes were cast on the longlist.

Reece, who works as a personal trainer at The Gym, added: “I entered just for a bit of fun really. It was all just for a bit of a laugh.

“I have done some modelling before but never any competitions like this. I was just trying to get as many people voting for me as possible.”

Then came the moment where the phone rang and the good news was delivered.

Steph said: “When I got the phone call telling me I had won I was like ‘oh my god’, I couldn’t believe I had won. It was really unexpected.”

Reece added: “I just laughed when I found out.”

Both of them have scooped a package of prizes and have also been invited to the Bolton’s Got Talent charity event at the Macron Stadium, hosted by Peter Kay.

Sadly, Reece, who works as a personal trainer at The Gym, is unable to attend but Steph is excited for the night already and potentially the chance to meet the man himself.

She said: “I can’t wait. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to meet Peter Kay and that is really exciting.”

During the competition and since the announcement both of them have been supported by their family and friends.

Steph got married in July just after submitting her picture for the competition.

She said: “Everyone is really proud. I have had lots of people messaging me saying well done and stuff.”

Reece added: “My friends and family have all been supporting me, they all thought it was a good thing. My girlfriend just takes the mick really.”

Both of the winners have lived in Bolton all their lives, and when asked what the town meant to them, both just said it is home.