BOLTON certainly has some champion children!

Nominations have already started to come in for the competition to highlight some of the borough's brighest, bravest and best youngsters, revealing some remarkable individuals who could easily end up as winners and official Champion Children.

The competition is being run by the Bolton Evening News and the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Prentice Howarth, to tell everybody about the many local youngsters who have achieved so much in a variety of fields.

At stake are prizes and trophies at a special presentation event in the Town Hall in April. But the campaign also gives a chance to put into the spotlight the positive side of young peoples behaviour, at a time when newspaper headlines often reveal the negative side.

Awards will be made in two age groups: eight years and under and from nine to 16, to allow a wide range of talents and activities to be included.

There are four categories: education, sport, community activities and personal achievement.

Readers might like to nominate a son or daughter who has worked hard for special achievements at schools, or someone who is talented at sports and dedicates his or her life to training and competing.

It could be a child who always thinks of others, working with the elderly or less fortunate children or raising money to help those in need.

And we want to hear about the many youngsters with special needs in the borough who lead rich lives and who always have to make that extra effort. Everyone believes his or her child is the best, but now there is a chance to share their achievements with other people.

The Mayor said: "There are so many wonderful children in the Bolton area that we never hear about.

"Here is a rare chance to tell everyone about them."

She is asking parents, teachers, youth workers and people in local communities to nominate suitable children for these official accolades.