It takes someone extra special to win the Contribution to Sussex award – sponsored by American Express. This is a special category where readers vote for the ultimate winner.

With previous winners Nick Dodds, head of the Brighton Festival; Roger French, chief executive of Brighton and Hove Bus Company; and Tony Bloom, Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion, the level of candidate is always high.

Whether professionally or personally, this one-off individual makes Sussex a better place to be and proving an inspiration to all.

This Award is voted for by readers of The Argus. For 2012 readers have been voting avidly for Sue Addis, Rod Aldridge, Martin Perry, Peter James and Dame Vera Lynn. Voting has now closed and The Outstanding Contribution to Sussex Award will be revealed, alongside all the other worthy winners at a glitzy awards night held at Theatre Royal Brighton hosted by newsreader Nicholas Owen on Sunday, October 28.

You can nominate as many people as you like for as many different awards as you like online.