DORCHESTER’S Olympic hero Peter Wilson has launched the Unsung Hero Award for BBC South West to search for and honour individuals from the world of grassroots sport.

Knowing how important these contributions are, the London 2012 gold medallist credits his own unsung hero – his dad, Charles Wilson – with making him the success he is today.

And Wilson, who triumphed this summer in the men’s double-trap shooting contest, joined his dad to launch the award at the Southern Counties Shooting Club near the county town.

The Olympic champion said: “To recognise those people across the UK for helping in any sport, at any age and any ability is just a fantastic part of the process.

“I don’t know where sport would be in Great Britain without unsung heroes.”

His dad Charles added: “There is no doubt that without them the elite athletes that you’ve seen compete in London could not be where they are now.

“They really are invisible, not only to the children but to everyone else and they really do deserve the credit which I hope people will give them through this opportunity to vote for them.”

Nominations should be made for people who go the extra mile to change the lives of others through sport and who deserve to be recognised for their selfless work on the part of others.

Nominees should be people who, on a voluntary basis, prepare facilities, roll the pitch, coach the juniors, run local sports leagues or work behind the scenes so that sport can be played and enjoyed by people throughout the UK.

Once the nomination process has been completed, a shortlist of nominees in each area is chosen by a panel made up of BBC sports staff, local sporting figures and other independent community figures with a regional winner being picked by that judging panel.

Unsung Heroes from 15 regions and nations will attend the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in December, where an overall winner will be announced.

Nominations can be made until midnight on Monday, October 29 at bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero using a printable form or by calling 0845 308 8000.