LOCAL heroes who want to take a lead in York's celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee next year need to move quickly.

The closing date for nominations for runners for the jubilee baton relay is Friday, January 4, and potential runners are being urged to get their applications completed and returned before the deadline.

City of York Council is co-ordinating plans to host the relay on July 5, when it passes through the city en route to the Commonwealth Games, in Manchester.

Nominated runners will each carry the baton for up to 500 metres, and anyone can be nominated for "community achievement", or special actions.

Liz Topi, York Leisure Office project manager, said: "The Jubilee baton runners can be anyone who has made a special contribution to their community, improved the lives of others or achieved a personal goal against the odds. They do not need to be athletes and the organisers welcome nomination of disabled people. We want to encourage all kinds of people to be nominated."

The baton will leave Buckingham Palace on March 11, travelling to about 20 Commonwealth countries, before returning on June 6 to travel throughout the UK for 50 days. It will pass through hundreds of towns and villages, with community celebrations organised by local authorities.

The final runner will hand the baton to the Queen, who will read the message it contains, to open the first Commonwealth Games of the 21st century, on July 25.

Nomination forms are available through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, whose organisers will be making the selection in this area. Sharrona Benton, at the award scheme office, can be contacted on 01904 541801.

Forms are also available from the YORtime office, at 20 Back Swinegate, and from the Barbican, as well as the Commonwealth Games website, on www.commonwealth-games.com or by calling the games information line, on 0870 609 2002.

Updated: 11:52 Friday, December 28, 2001