DORCHESTER Amateur Boxing Club coach Ben Geyser has made the shortlist for this year’s BBC Unsung Hero of the Year award.

Geyser, 70, was nominated for the accolade by fellow county town coach Jay Brown who felt it was “a fitting tribute”.

Brown said: “The award is part of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year and the actual award itself is called the Unsung Hero of the Year.

“I saw the award on television last year and with it being Ben’s 70th birthday recently, as well as his 60th year in the sport of boxing, I felt it was a fitting tribute for all the hard work he’s done.

“We wouldn’t have a club if it wasn’t for him. It’s well deserved and he’s through to the final three in the south, for which there is an awards do this Sunday – the BBC South Sports Personality of the Year awards – and should he win he would move through to the national final a week later.

“Ben set the club up in 2003 and he’s been a good influence on the boys’ lives in general. We’ve had letters from the local police, local schools and local MPs praising him for all his efforts.”

Weymouth sailor Sarah Ayton has also been nominated by the BBC.

The Olympic double gold medallist has been listed in both the female team and yachtsperson of the year categories.

Former Weymouth-based sailor Ben Ainslie, who is a director at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy, is nominated for the BBC South Sports Personality award.