Nominees raising a glass to News awards prospects

THOUSANDS of you have already voted and the Evening News can now reveal the top contenders vying for a Best of 2010 award.

As nominated by our readers, the most popular three entries in each category have now been decided.

One of the most competitive categories is the Best Pub section, which has generated more than 5500 votes alone.

Out of 16 nominees, the three venues to win the most votes are: Thomson's Bar, Diane's Pool Hall, and The Mercat Bar.

Other tight battles in the Post Office-sponsored competition were fought in best Community Contribution and best Post Office categories.

Overall winners will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony on August 10.

Ruth Hunter Pepper, promotions manager for the Evening News, thanked readers who participated for their interest and said the number of votes submitted was "almost overwhelming".

"It took two days of counting and checking the hundreds of coupons to give us our top three in each category," she said.

"It's wonderful that so many people have made so much effort collecting coupons and texting in their votes and now we can reveal the readers' choice of finalists.

"A massive thank-you to the readers who have been involved in the nominations and the voting and sorry to those not in the final this time around, but I hope they try again next year."

The prize-giving will be held at the offices of the Evening News on Holyrood Road.

Representatives from the top three contenders in each category will be invited to attend for wine and nibbles on the day.

The finalists fighting it out for glory

BEST POST OFFICE:

• Oxgangs (code 103)

• Davidson's Mains (code 105)

• Dalry Road (code 102)

BEST HEARTS FAN:

• Jean Bogue (code 202)

• Harry McDonald (code 203)

• Shirley Ruickbie (code 204)

BEST HIBS FAN:

• David McDermott (code 302)

• Emma Finlayson (code 303)

• Kelly Tarbet (code 305)

BEST FISH & CHIP SHOP:

• Coral Reef, Musselburgh (code 401)

• Rainbow Restaurant, Musselburgh (code 404)

• L'Aurora, Pathhead (code 409)

BEST BAR:

• Diane's Pool Hall (code 514)

• The Mercat Bar (code 503)

• Thomson's Bar (code 515)

BEST COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION:

• Mohammed Liton (code 605)

• Isa Thomson (code 609)

• Masood Malik (code 601)