COMEDIAN Peter Kay is up against Pop Idol guru Simon Cowell, and athlete Paula Radcliffe for a new award from the world's biggest selling whisky.

The comic, who is in the middle of a sell out national tour, is one of the forerunners for the Johnnie Walker "Keep Walking" Award, which includes nominations from the worlds of acting, comedy, business and sport.

Johnnie Walker's Senior Brand Manager, Hayley Davis, said: "The Award is designed to recognise those people who have made genuine progress in 2002 and have acted as an inspiration to others.

The nominees, have all made enormous strides in their lives this year, some personally, some professionally."

The winner of the Award, for which the public can vote for by logging on to www.johnniewalker.co.uk , will be given a donation to give to a charity of their choice.

Miss Davies added: "When you look at someone like Paula Radcliffe, it's obvious that 2002 has been the year when she really leapt forward from being an also-ran to being a true winner and to see the inspiration she's given to others."

Johnnie Walker's "Keep Walking" Awards draw their inspiration from the Walker family which first created and distributed the drink.

John Walker and successive generations of his family were pioneers of whisky making, exporting and design and marketing.

The Striding Man logo was one of the first globally recognised brand icons. The full list of nominee are: Rio Ferdinand, Peter Kay, Jimi Mistry, Rhona Martin, Michael Vaughan, Paula Radcliffe, Colin Farrell, Simon Cowell, Julien Macdonald, Grae Cleugh and Alain Baxter.

The winner of the Award -- to be announced on Monday, December 16 -- will be given a donation to give to a charity of their choice.