Nominate your Wolverhampton sons and daughters

Today the Express & Star joins in a quest to honour those famous faces who have made the biggest contribution to the City of Wolverhampton – and we need your nominations to find the most inspirational citizens.

We want everyone, individuals or groups, at home or in the workplace, to make suggestions from which five people representing five different backgrounds will be selected to be honoured as a famous son or daughter of Wolverhampton.

The inaugural awards evening will be held on Thursday, October 13 at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, a prestigious and glittering formal event attended by the chosen recipients and their partners. This will present the city with the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the positive impact the Famous Sons & Daughters have made and the role models they have become for today's citizens. Individuals and businesses are invited to be part of these celebrations, rubbing shoulders with an array of celebrities.

The winners' names will be included on a roll of honour to be located in a prominent building in the city.

The project has been initiated by Wolverhampton Partners in Progress, a group of local business people who over the past 25 years have worked with the local authority to raise the city's profile on the national scene as well as maintaining ongoing dialogue with influential contacts such as local MPs and visiting Government ministers.

Graham Evans, Chair of Partners in Progress, explains: "We want to honour people who have made a major contribution to the city or dedicated their lives to Wolverhampton. In celebration of the first decade of city status we feel it is a fitting tribute to recognise the depth of achievement by its people. It is hoped this will become an annual event of celebration."

So, thinking caps on.

To qualify for a place on the roll of honour nominees must be still alive, have made a significant contribution to Wolverhampton life and brought recognition to the city. We are looking for ideas in five different categories: business; sport; arts, media and entertainment; education; and community, the latter being any individual who has made an impact and achieved national acknowledgement.

There is no shortage of obvious contenders including entrepreneurs such as Sir Jack Hayward, Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint, probably the best known female cricketer in England, or Wayne Jones, professional darts player who uses the nickname The Wanderer. Then there is Hugh Porter MBE, one of Britain's greatest former professional cyclists, married to British Olympic swimming gold medallist, Anita Lonsbrough, MBE.

From the field of entertainment how about Beverley Knight, now recognised as one of Britain's greatest soul singers.

The Olivier Award-nominated English actress Frances Barber with a long and distinguished stage career is worth consideration as is the bestselling cookery writer Nigel Slater.

Lisa Potts was awarded the George Medal for her astonishing bravery defending nursery school children in 1996 and Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England since 2003, continues to be an key player in world finance.

These are just a few suggestions but most of all we want your ideas. Remember, we want to know which famous people you think deserve to be honoured and we are looking for representatives from a variety of backgrounds. All nominations, and remember these are not votes, must be received by Monday, June 27, 2011 at the latest. They will be considered by a panel of judges including representatives from Partners in Progress, the business community, the Council, the University of Wolverhampton and Express & Star. The most worthy person from each of the five categories, in the opinion of the judging panel, will receive the accolade.

How to enter

You can send in your nomination by post addressed to Famous Sons & Daughters nomination, The Editor, Express & Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1ES, using the form here. If you want to make a nomination in more than one category, write them on one side of A4 paper and attach it to the original nomination form. Alternatively you can email it, putting Famous Sons & Daughters in the subject heading, to promotions@expressandstar.co.uk, to reach us by Monday, June 27, 2011 at the latest. Remember to include in the email your contact details plus a short explanation about why you are nominating that individual. You may submit a nomination in one or all of the five categories.

The name of everyone who sends in a suggestion, regardless of whether or not is selected as an eventual winner, will be entered into a free draw and the first name out of the hat will receive two complimentary tickets to the black-tie awards event being held at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton on October 13, 2011. There is no cash alternative to this prize and it is non-transferable. The winner must be prepared to take part in any relevant publicity.

Do note that nominators should be aged 18 years or over. The judging panel's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

* Tables for 10 people at the awards evening are available at £500 or individual places at £50 per person. Please contact Graham Evans on 01902 375753 or 07785 276604 or Chris Bywater on 01902 710999 or 07714 532630.