MEN are being urged to publicise the good work they do in the community - if not for themselves then to promote their organisation!

That is the message from this year's Bury Man of the Year Committee which is searching for a worthy candidate to take the 2005 title.

Nominations are being sought from individuals, charities, voluntary and community organisations for those men who go above and beyond the call of duty.

The criteria is that nominees must be over 18-years-old, live or work in the borough, and their contribution to a worthy cause or the local community must have been done in a voluntary capacity.

Previous titleholders have included the late Ainslie Dures, for his work with Bury Elders Forum and many other societies. Mr Dures, who lived in Bury, had the honour of becoming the first Bury Man of the Year. Last year's titleholder was Jack Kenneford from Tottington, who is chairman of the Tottington and District Civic Society.

Mervyn Reeves, fundraising manager for Bury Hospice, said: "Men seem a little modest when it comes to events such as these.

"But the aim of Bury Man of the Year is to recognise the contribution men make to their community. At the same time this event will raise the awareness of many different worthy and charitable organisations and causes in the borough."

He added: "In the longer term, Bury Man of the Year will become a fundraiser for Bury Hospice, but is and will remain essentially a way to honour and highlight the work and achievements of the men of the borough."

A panel of independent judges will consider the entries. The successful candidate will receive a glass tankard engraved with the arms of the borough and the logo of award sponsors Bury Hospice. He will also be awarded the Colin Caffrey Memorial Trophy, in memory of the hospice's late chairman.

This year's titleholder will be announced at the Bury Man of the Year Dinner at the Longfield Suite, Prestwich on Saturday, May 21.

Nomination forms are available from Bury Hospice, Fundraising Centre, 89 The Rock, Bury, BL9 ONB, telephone number 0161 797 1748. Booking forms for the dinner are also available by emailing fundraising@buryhospice