BARRY'S biggest and brightest community competition is up and running.

The town's Citizen of the Year Award, which is already attracting entries from all over the area, is in its second week.

The competition, run by the Barry and District News, Dow Corning and Barry Town Council, looks for special individuals who go that extra mile for others.

The winner of last year's competition was Jeff Savory.

The fifty-two year old from Court Road is self employed, but puts hours of his own time into a local Gymnastic Club for disabled adults and children.

He told the News: "I'm involved with all sports disabled people take part in, from swimming to ten-pin bowling and athletics.

"It was very nice to have a little recognition for the work that I do, but I haven't found that it makes my job any easier. I'm still very busy and it's still hard trying to raise money to keep the club going."

When Jeff was nominated by the Penarth Gymnastics Club leader Gwyneth Lingard, it came as a complete surprise.

He said: "I had no idea that it was going to happen until the letter inviting me to the ceremony landed on the doormat. It was very nice, if a little embarrassing to be noticed like that."

The competition is open to all ages.

As a thank you, the winner will get £250 cash, a DVD player donated by Dan Evans and a luxury hamper from Safeway. There are runner up prizes and there's even a luxury hamper for the person who nominates the winner.

And it's easy to enter.

Just pick up a form from the Barry and District News office, 156, Holton Road and drop it into the Mayor of Barry, Barry Town Council, 7 Gladstone Road.

Alternatively you can vote on line at www.dowcorning.com/barry and click on the Citizen of the Year link.