BOLTON'S first man of the year is Uttambhai D Mistry.

The prestigious title went to Mr Mistry for the work he has done in the community since he arrived in the town from Kenya in 1969.

He beat seven other competitors to take the top prize at a glittering ceremony held at the Reebok Stadium.

Mr Mistry has been instrumental in developing various initiatives in Bolton for many years. He is a JP, a member of the Bolton Council for Voluntary Services and Bolton Community Health Council and was a leading light in the formation of the Bolton Hindu Forum where no less than 22 local organisations were reconciled into a single inclusive vision.

His work has not just been in ethnic minority areas and his life continues to be devoted to the citizens of the town.

Mr Mistry came top of a list of the following worthy contenders:

Bernard Rhead was director of fund-raising for Bolton Hospice from 1994 until very recently, when ill health forced him to retire.

David Ingham is a motorway police officer who has spent 24 years with the Sea Cadets and is a Duke of Edinburgh Award Instructor.

Christopher Wormald is the leader, main organiser and conductor of Bolton Smithills brass band, well known to music lovers around the world.

Alfred Hales is a one-man fund-raiser who has helped to collect cash for hundreds of charities over the years.

Peter Finch is a former Mayor of Bolton and Westhoughton who has also given much of his time to helping charities.

Victor R Brookfield is the minibus driver for the Bolton PHAB Club (physically handicapped and able bodied) despite difficulties and tragedies in his own family life. One of his twins is severely disabled and wheelchair-bound, he has undergone a triple heart by-pass and lost his wife three years ago.

Jim Heggie has been in a wheelchair for 25 years after an accident in the Army, but people say he cares for others more than himself. He is a founder member of the Bolton Wheelchair Basketball Team and spends much of his time helping newly-disabled people adapt to their lives.