The panel was made up of author Milly Johnson, Egyptologist Joann Fletcher, Couns Tracy Cheetham and Karen Dyson, Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis, Barnsley FC defender Bobby Hassell, and Chronicle editor Andrew Harrod along with reporter Katia Harston.

It was a tough task for the judges, who met at the Holiday Inn, Dodworth, to deliberate and discuss who should be shortlisted in the 14 categories.

Barnsley's own Egyptologist, Joann Fletcher, who won a BAFTA and a Royal Television Award for her programme 'Mummifying Alan: Egypt's Last Secret, said it was uplifting to see so many of the town's unsung heroes being nominated.

"It's definitely been a task trying to decide but I think we have a good selection of people from across the town who are being recognised for their achievements," she added.

Author Milly Johnson agreed and said it was 'wonderful' to see so many people getting involved in the awards.

The candidates shortlisted for each category in the Proud of Barnsley Awards are as follows:

Young Superstar:

Olivia and Keenan Faulkner

Pegah Muulana

Tala Turton

Young Entrepreneur:

Jade Bryan

Tom Maskill

Jess Pollard

Young Apprentice:

Adam Holland

Amy Jones

Jason Whitehead

Triumph Over Adversity:

Gail Arnold

James Knowles

Peter Wilkinson

Sporting Achievement:

Sue Gilroy

Fred Gummerson

Caroline Fisher

School:

Athersley South Primary

Birkwood

Summer Lane Primary

Good Neighbour:

Joe Battye

Dorothy Kirby

Roya Pourali

Emergency Services:

Ian Anderson

Sean Mountain

Chris Thompson

Community Group:

Barnsley Street Pastors

Church of the Nazarene

+Me

Children's Champion:

Barnsley Parents and Carers' Forum

Barnsley Youth Choir

The Star Boxing Club

Carer:

Jill Mallinder

Louise Harper

Diane McNulty

Green Award:

Barnsley College Think Low Carbon Centre

Hannah Jones and Kimberley Robertshaw

Michelle Powell

Exceptional Achievement:

Karl Cooper

Linda Pattison

Rebecca Pickles

Volunteer of the Year:

Dean Hibberd

Louise Jones

The Well Volunteers