(Left to right) Andrew McIver of Sportingbet, Derek de la Haye, assistant director of Education, Sport and Culture in Jersey and Guernsey sports development manager Graham Chester at yesterday’s launch. (Picture by Jon Guegan, 0697777)

ALISON MERRIEN and Heather Watson have been shortlisted for the 2008 Sportingbet CI Sports Personality of the Year Award.

The Sarnian pair were among the five nominees named yesterday, which will go to a public vote for the Channel Islands’ most prestigious sporting accolade.

‘It’s a great honour just to be named and we’ll see how the evening pans out,’ said Merrien.

The winner will be announced on 29 January at a gala dinner at Beau Sejour, which will be broadcast live on Channel TV.

The guest of honour is former England captain and Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio OBE.

Previous winners include Guernsey’s triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx and Great Britain World Championships and Olympics athlete Dale Garland.

But for the last two years, the award has gone to Jersey.