Blue and gold star balloons caught the light at the side of the stage but on stage the stars that shone brightest were the winners of this year's People Awards.

A packed audience at Salisbury Arts Centre last Sunday applauded as winners and runners-up were named in each of ten categories.

The People Awards are now in their third year and attracted more than 50 nominations from across the district.

The candidates came from all walks of life and all ages, but the one thing they had in common was that they represented the very best in our community - people with commitment and enthusiasm, who give up their time, energy and, sometimes, even their homes to improve the lives of others emotionally and physically.

The ceremony was a celebration of their contribution to so many lives and the judging panel of former Salisbury mayor and district councillor Patrick Paisey, Salisbury Arts Centre director Jill Low and Trevor Hazelgrove, chief executive of Salisbury and District Council for Voluntary Services, were quick to admit that their task had been a difficult one.

"It has been a privilege to participate in the 2006 People Awards," they said.

"It was not an easy task to decide a rank order between so many deserving nominations. However, we have had to make choices and our judgement has been made.

"Congratulations to every person who was nominated as you are all worthy of top recognition."

All the nominees and their guests were invited to attend the ceremony, which was compered by Meridian television presenter Ian Axton, Journal publisher Bill Browne and area station director of Spire FM, Ceri Hurford-Jones Guests of honour were Salisbury mayor Sheila Warrander, Salisbury MP Robert Key, Andy Goves, head of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Simon King, acting chief superintendent of Salisbury Police, all of whom stepped up to help present awards to some of the delighted winners.

Other prizes were presented by People Award sponsors Solstice Park, Elite Care, Kip McGrath Education Centres, Sole Obsession, and Salisbury and District Council for Voluntary Services.

Another sponsor, Stage Right Services, provided a stunning set for the occasion and florists Lillies festooned it with balloons and bouquets.

The first award of the afternoon for Pillar of the Community was also one of the toughest categories.

The judges were faced with a group of people who had all shown great commitment without pursuing their own rewards before making Margaret Wilmot their number one choice.

The Carer/Family Award attracted the highest concentration of nominees and Jane Bunn, who has opened up her home to some of the least advantaged people in the community, was overwhelmed when she was named the winner.

The judges selected Salisbury firefighter Dan Cooke for the hero tilte for the rescue work he has carried out all over the world making him, in their words "a modern day hero of whom this city should be proud."

With a number of worthy contenders for the Health and Education category, the judges elected to have no runner-up and two winners.

Actively retired Peter Eve, whose nominator was a ten-year-old at the school where he puts in so many hours of musical assistance, and sexual health lecturer Jan Sanders, who missed the ceremony because she was engaged in charity work in Romania, shared the honours.

Diana Butchers was named Charity Fundraiser of the Year and Alan and Bridget Westcott took the Charity Worker title while Bill Boon was awarded the accolade of Good Neighbour.

Youth worker Keith Gale collected the award for Working with Young People for which both he and the late Rose Saul had been jointly nominated for their work at Bass Connection.

The Young Person of the Year Award went to an astonished Katie Cooper, who had convinced herself that she would not win.

But the judges were impressed by the way she had overcome personal tragedy and made her the final winner of the afternoon.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Browne said: "This was an event that lived up to all our expectations.

"The quality of the entries was excellent and we were delighted by the wide variety of new candidates.

"Next year, we hope even more people will be encouraged to put forward their nominations as a way of saying thank you to the unsung heroes in our community.

Mr Hurford-Jones said: "On behalf of Spire FM, I have to say what a fantastic occasion Sunday's event was.

"We were delighted to once again team up with the Journal in order to recognise the many, many local heroes living in south wiltshire and west hampshire - to my mind every single person nominated deserved to win an accolade.

"These awards give us the opportunity to hear some amazing stories of self sacrifice and to share in a real feel good' factor."