Our search to unveil the top young sporting talent around is under way.

The Wilmslow Express and sister paper the Macclesfield Express have teamed up with BMW and MINI dealership Blue Bell Wilmslow to search for the Blue Bell Young Sports Personality of the Year.

As Olympic fever grips the nation, Blue Bell Wilmslow will be championing young sporting stars throughout the region, and recognising the area’s most promising talent for the Young Sports Personality of the Year 2012 awards.

The BMW Group is supporting British athletes up and down the country after being named the official automotive sponsor of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Blue Bell Wilmslow, together with the Express, is scouring the region for up and coming talent, inviting nominations from Wilmslow, Macclesfield and the surrounding areas.

If you are aged between 11 and 18 years old and have a special sporting talent, or know someone that does, whatever the sport, visit www.thebluebellgroup.co.uk/youngsportspersonality to enter before the closing date of 31 May 2012.

Blue Bell BMW has compiled a prestigious judging panel that will be tasked with selecting finalists for the competition, who will be in with a chance of winning the coveted Blue Bell Young Sports Personality of the Year trophy and a state of the art mountain bike.

The judges include Wilmslow Express sport editor Mike Glendinning, Blue Bell Group managing director Sue Brownson OBE, sales director at Blue Bell Wilmslow Jason Shenton, and the region’s very own Team GB hopeful, hockey player Alastair Brogdon. Alastair has been capped 39 times for England, and four times for Great Britain, and has two major medals to his name – a 2009 Amsterdam European Championship gold and a Champions Trophy silver.

He is also sponsored by Blue Bell Wilmslow to aid with his transport for training, competitions and events.

Alastair said: "The spotlight is definitely on the country’s sporting talent and I am excited to see what the region has to offer.

"I know we have some extremely talented youngsters in the area, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate the stars of the future."

Sue Brownson added: "This is a fantastic opportunity for young sports stars to receive the recognition they deserve.

"The local area is brimming with excellent sports clubs and plenty of young talent, and we are pleased to be able to reward them. We’re looking forward to meeting some of the region’s finest athletes."