GRANT Aid is now also available from the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the support and development of local sportsmen and women aged from 10 to under 25.

The Basingstoke Sports Trust (Sports Centre) and Community Leisure Trust (Aquadrome and Tadley Pool) also award scholarships to a selection of top athletes, which provide them with free access to a personal trainer at their respective facilities.

The 2017 application form and full information for grant aid, scholarships and automatic consideration for sportsperson of the year categories is available on the Borough Council website .

Applications for Grant Aid must live within the Basingstoke and Deane borough.

Anyone competing on a regular basis for a Basingstoke Club but not living in the borough can apply for the Sportsman or Woman award but not funding.

Note that all nominations must be submitted by 9pm on Saturday December 2 and when submitting please ensure a digital chest, head and shoulders photo of yourself is also submitted to bvlsc@btinternet.com.

This is also the closing date for all the other categories at the annual Sports Awards which are for clubs, teams, schools, coaches, volunteers, officials and service to sport.

Please note that you can apply for Senior or Junior Sportsman or Woman awards, even if you do not require or are eligible for grant aid.