THE Gazette Sports Personality of the Year competition for 2007 was launched last Thursday, so make sure that your favourite is in the running - send in your voting coupon printed in your Basingstoke Extra today.

The winner will be announced and presented with the trophy at The Gazette Sports Awards night at The Apollo Hotel on Friday, February 29.

Today we look at the first six names on the shortlist of 30 looking for your votes this year.

Simon Appleby has proved to be 'Stoke's best player this season with a number of impressive performances, while Karl Buttle has been in great try-scoring form for the club.

Next on the list are two world champions from the world of powerlifting in Pete Bedford and Andy Bonner.

Eric Braff, the man mountain of the Bison defence, had an excellent year for the Herd, while Basingstoke Town's Jason Bristow has been a beacon of strength at the back on the football field.

When you have made your choice from any of the shortlist of 30 - the full list of names is below - fill in the coupon and send it in by the February 22 deadline.

Vote for your favourite

  • Simon Appleby - rugby
  • Pete Bedford - powerlifting
  • Andy Bonner - powerlifting
  • Eric Braff - ice hockey
  • Jason Bristow - football
  • Karl Buttle - rugby
  • Greg Chambers - ice hockey
  • Josh Clinch - swimming
  • Holly Croxford - athletics
  • Brad Cruikshank - ice hockey
  • Pauline Davis - badminton
  • Dean Francis - boxing
  • Josh Goodall - tennis
  • Ben Hazell - athletics
  • Steve Laidler - football
  • Graeme Murty - football
  • Tom Owens - diving
  • Ben Peggs - fencing
  • Charlie Purdue - athletics
  • Tom Rees - rugby
  • Justin Rose - golf
  • Adam Rouse - cricket
  • Darren Rouse - cricket
  • Claire Spreadbury - indoor bowls
  • Ross Stirling - rugby
  • Mitchell Stokes - cricket
  • Robert Tobin - athletics
  • Shaun Udal - cricket
  • Rob Watkins - football
  • Chris Wood - cricket