The annual Teignbridge Sports Personality Awards will go ahead this year despite fears the event was dead and buried.

In March, Teignbridge Council announced what it called a years postponement, something critics interpreted as a cancellation.

The manner in which the news was broken also prompted anger. Deep inside a press release entitled Teignbridge Is Tops For Sports Participation it was revealed the awards were being given a well-earned break.

At the time Cllr Jeremy Christophers, the councils sports champion was outraged. He said the statement had more spin than a Shane Warne leg break.

It emerged the council was, in fact, struggling with staff shortages and was worried about holding a glitzy ceremony in a time of economic hardship.

After talk of holding a scaled-down ceremony, or even delivering awards to peoples homes, now there is better news for Cllr Christophers and the hundreds of people expected to take part in the event.

Teignbridge has announced it will be held on November 26 at its usual venue, the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren, glitz and all.

This week the authority told the Advertiser there had been an early resolution of staffing issues allowing the council to pull plans forward.

Teignbridge sportspeople, clubs, schools and members of the public are being encouraged to make their nominations for outstanding achievements across 14 categories.

The news has been welcomed by last years main winner, 17-year-old Scott Smith, of Dawlish.

Im over the moon as its such a prestigious ceremony and one which gives everyone the chance to see the range and high level of sports in the district. Its also a great opportunity for those nominated to get on in their chosen fields, he said.

Scotts experience gave him the confidence to start up his own business, the Fuzion Martial Arts School

Cllr Anne Fry, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Recreational Services said:

Were delighted to be hosting the popular sports personality awards a little earlier than planned, and look forward to recognising the achievements of our dedicated local sportspeople.

Well take care to deliver the awards as efficiently as possible, and are approaching sponsors to ensure costs are kept minimal while not compromising any of the quality that is associated with the prestigious event.

If you know somebody deserving, please pick a nomination form or go online and let us know.

Cllr Christophers said: The sports personality awards provide popular and worthy recognition of some of our best local sporting talent.  I believe that we should be doing everything we can to nurture and encourage this talent, so its very welcome to see the awards back within 2009.

The focus now is on delivering a value-for-money top-quality ceremony which celebrates success and encourages more people to get involved in sport.

To reflect the new date of the awards the time period for achievements has been extended to include January 1 2008 March 31 2009.

Details and nomination forms will be available next week at Forde House, tourist information centres, leisure centres, schools, sports clubs and at http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/sportspersonality. ">www.teignbridge.gov.uk/sportspersonality. ;

The closing date for nominations is Friday September 18.