The Council is revving up to support triple World Superbike Champion, Jonathan Rea in his bid to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

On Sunday 17 December Jonathan will be aiming to round off a spectacular year and pick up the accolade. He faces tough competition from Harry Kane, Anthony Joshua, Lewis Hamilton and Mo Farah.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Hamill, is encouraging the whole Borough to get behind Jonathan and take part in the public vote on Sunday evening: “Jonathan has achieved something amazing and to be shortlisted for the award is well deserved.  We are extremely proud to have him as one of Northern Ireland’s sporting ambassadors and I would urge everyone to cast their vote for Jonathan.”

Voting for the main award will be from a shortlist of contenders presented during the live show on Sunday 17 December 2017.

Voting will be available by phone or via the BBC website. The number to call for each contender will be revealed during the programme. There is no voting via email, Red Button or by text. The telephone numbers will be available through Red Button and via the BBC website.