TONIGHT is one of the biggest dates in the Examiner’s calendar.

The winners of the 2008 Examiner Community Awards will be unveiled at a glittering ceremony at the Galpharm Stadium.

The awards are split into 11 categories, with Prof Bob Cryan, who rose from a childhood in Deighton to become Vice-Chancellor of Huddersfield University, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A shortlist of three has been drawn up in the other 10 categories and all have been invited to the event.

The winner in each category will be announced tonight and invited on stage to pick up an award.

One of those shortlisted – Lindley Junior School Choir – tasted success at an awards ceremony on Friday.

The choir won the Sing Up platinum award at the annual conference of the Federation of Music Services in Leeds, officially making them one of the top school choirs in the country.

The choir received the award from composer Howard Goodall, who has penned the theme tunes to TV comedies such as Blackadder, the Vicar Of Dibley and The Catherine Tate Show.

Sing Up is a national project to encourage all primary school children to sing.

The eight to 11-year-olds, led by conductor Alison Watkins, also won the BBC’s Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year contest this year and brought back £1,000 of vouchers to spend on musical instruments at the school.

Now the choir will record a Christmas concert for the BBC at London’s Royal Albert Hall in September for Songs of Praise Big Sing, 2008.

The awards are being hosted this year by ITN newsreader Nina Hossain, who comes from Taylor Hill, and Examiner editor Roy Wright.

Nina, 34, is six months pregnant.

She and partner Stuart Thomas already have a baby son, Will, who is 18 months old.

“I’m really looking forward to tonight,’’ Nina said.

“The stories people hear of courage, determination against all odds, selfless service and incredible kindness touch everyone’s hearts.

“Everyone who has made the shortlist is already a winner in our eyes.’’

The categories are Friend Of The Year, Services To The Community, Services To Charity, Young Personality, Emergency Services Personality, Sports Personality, Sports Team, Courage Award, Arts Award and Teacher Of The Year.

Everyone shortlisted has been profiled in the Examiner over the last two weeks.

Previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners have included artist Ashley Jackson, from Holmfirth, film star Patrick Stewart from Mirfield, England soccer World Cup winner Ray Wilson who still lives in Huddersfield, comedy actor Gorden Kaye, cash-and-carry tycoon Lawrence Batley and Roy Clarke, creator of Last Of The Summer Wine.

There will be full coverage of the awards in tomorrow’s Examiner.