VOTING opens this week for this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards.

For the first time the public will have their say on who will take home a coveted Proud of Barnsley trophy.

Public voting for the awards opens on Wednesday and runs through to November 8.

With 16 categories and 50 shortlisted nominees, picking winners is bound to be tough, however your voice will help decide.

On November 8, the panel of judges who have decided winners in the past will meet again to discuss the nominees and with the help of voting figures will choose the final winners of this year’s awards.

Winners will be announced at what promises to be an incredible show at the Metrodome on November 15, with fan favourites Stephanie Hirst and Steve White returning to host once more, and a variety of entertainment acts including the Barnsley Youth Choir set to take the stage.

After months of looking through the record-breaking number of nominations submitted this year, we have been inspired by all the great work that is being done by people across the borough.

Every single person that has been nominated deserves praise and recognition.

Details on how to vote, including links to the voting page itself, can be found from Wednesday on the Chronicle website www.barnsleychronicle.com