No-one could envy the difficult task of choosing the winners in our joint Cheddar Valley Gazette People of the Year Awards.

Editor Philip Welch and Peter Jones, director of Lanes in Cheddar, were hard pressed in choosing from so many worthy entries who had done the most to benefit our corner of the county.

The awards were launched to celebrate 130 years of service by Lanes of Cheddar to the community. And to do this the store is giving away £1,300. Four category winners will get £200 and £500 will go to an overall winner.

MAN OF THE YEAR

The Man of the Year award goes to Keith Herring, former headteacher of Kings of Wessex School. Keith still keeps his hand in education as a governor at Cheddar First School and chairman of the Cheddar Valley University of the Third Age.

Keith is also known for his work as chairman of the trustees of Cheddar Youth Trust, chairman of the Cheddar to Axbridge Cycleway, a member of the Cheddar Valley Access Group and organiser of local blood donors.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Woman of the Year is Marilyn Evans of Cheddar. Her work as secretary and treasurer of Cheddar's Royal British Legion Club saw nomination forms pour in.

Her well-wishers credited her entertainment duties at the club, alongside its general running and her catering for a Remembrance Service and aid in jumble sales and charity walks.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Teacher of the Year is Lin Williams. The new headteacher of Sandford Primary School recently left Winscombe Primary School and was described as "marvellous and really raised the standard of the school. A lovely lady".

LANES EDUCATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Lanes Education Project of the Year, along with a £200 prize, goes to Cheddar First School where the money will provide a visualiser to help school presentations in their assembly hall.

The school narrowly beat Joe Patrick, head boy of Sidcot School who raised money to pay for a 17-year-old Kenyan boy's education.

LANES ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The Lanes Environmental Project of the Year belongs to Bagley Community Orchard. The woodland, cared for by the community, encourages both wildlife and walkers to use its open spaces, which also produces fruits.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Volunteer of the Year is Jill Male of Cheddar Local Action Team. The group chairwoman has been credited for her invaluable help in setting up a youth drop-in centre and in championing a skate park for Cheddar.

SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Sports Person of the Year is Jos Buttler of Latcham, near Wedmore. The young cricketer will represent England Under 19s in the World Cup in New Zealand this month. Jos also plays for Somerset County Cricket Club and was the youngest member of the team in the Champion's League in India.

JUNIOR SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Junior Sports Person of the Year goes jointly to two people. The first is Olivia Owen of Cross who kept her GCSEs in the air alongside herself on the trampoline. Olivia earned a place on the Great Britain team for aerobic gymnastics and high grades in her studies.

Daniel Salway of Cheddar swapped the football for a rugby ball three years ago. The 16-year-old is doing a BTEC diploma in sports at Wiltshire College and plays at Bath University three times a week, alongside helping train the under-13s and 14s sides at Kings Fitness and Leisure.

LANES SPORTS PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The Lanes Sports Project of the Year goes to Axbridge Saxons Football teams. Since 1997 football took off in the town and spawned two clubs, the veterans and juniors and last year they achieved the Charter Standard Status from the Football Association. They receive £200.

LANES COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Lanes Community Project of the Year, and its award of £200, goes to Cheddar Skate Park. The park will shortly become reality after decades of championing by village parents and children.

But the good news doesn't end there for Cheddar Skate Park. They also receive £500 for being judged the best overall project of the year.

Peter Jones, director of Lanes in Cheddar, in said: "We have completed 130 years of trading in Cheddar and during that time customers have been very supportive of us and we felt we should put something back into the community.

"All the nominees were all worthy of a prize but it was narrowed down to the winners and we felt that Cheddar Skate Park is at the forefront of people's minds and been on the cards for many years. People fought long and hard for it."

Winners will receive a certificate at an awards ceremony at Lanes of Cheddar. A date will be announced shortly.