We've chosen the Best of South Tyneside shortlist - now it's on to the finals!

Now all we have to do is unveil the winners.

This year’s shortlist for the Best of South Tyneside Awards has been chosen but it was no easy task for the judges who deliberated long and hard before making their decisions.

The end result, though, was a shortlist which reflects the spirit and enthusiasm of the communities in which we live.

Joy Yates, Editorial Director of Johnston Press North East, said: “It continues to amaze me how year after year the best of South Tyneside Awards highlight so much exceptional people who are in our community.

“From fundraisers to our sporting elite, young performers and the children of courage.

“The judging, as ever, was extremely tough, but very rewarding.”

This year, the grand finale will be held at the Roker Hotel, where we will be revealing the winners on Wednesday, September 19.

Ray Spencer from the Customs House will be the compere for what promises to be a fantastic occasion.

The Best of South Tyneside awards, this year, have the backing of Barbour; Harlow Printing Limited; JML; BT South Tyneside; Northumbrian Water, UTS Engineering Ltd, Warmseal and South Tyneside College.

The finals evening also feature the ever-popular Young Performer category.

Whoever wins will be following in the footsteps of last year’s winner Ellie Stephenson.

Other winners in 2017 included Billy Luther, a registered British show jumper, who was awarded the Young Sportsperson for coming a long way in the sport with a home- produced pony.

Among the numerous highlights of the night was the emotional moment when guests gave a standing ovation to the winners of the Child of Courage award.

Watch out for more tear-jerking moments at this year’s event.

You can follow the event on social media. Our reporting team will bring updates including the announcement of the winners as the finale progresses.

And then make sure you order your copy of our post awards supplement which will be published in the Shields Gazette on Wednesday, September 26.