NTL looks for web stars

The search is on to find the internet’s unsung heroes following the launch of NTL's “best of British broadband” awards. NTL is on the look out for local web stars who have created sites that help, entertain or support others. You have until 24 September to put forward websites at the NTL Awards website (site goes live on Saturday) and a panel of judges including Pop Idol’s Dr Fox will decide a shortlist of six finalists for each section. There are 14 categories, covering themes such as sport, music and charity. Special groupings such as “Fast Fifties” and “Creative kids” are open to stars over 50 and under 16. Dr Fox will also choose a site that he feels is particularly innovative for the “Foxy’s Gallery award.” Each shortlisted nomination will be showcased on the NTL site where the public can vote for their winner, to be announced in October. Bill Goodland, director of internet at NTL, said: “We hope everyone will use this opportunity to reward those unsung internet heroes in our communities who help others without personal reward.” For the past two years, AOL and UK charity Citizens Online have run the Innovation in the Community Awards, designed for community groups and charities across the UK to launch internet projects that will benefit local citizens. From 800 applications, 30 winners were chosen earlier this month and will receive £2,000, plus a year's free subscription to AOL, to help them fund their proposed community or charity project.