As of 11am yesterday, Col had surged ahead with 15 votes - 11 clear of Athol Heagney and Emalie Hurcum, who are on equal second with four votes each.

Readers can vote for their favourite servicepeople as many times as they like - but votes must be on the official entry form published in The Express (today’s form is on page 4).

You can vote for a number of people on the one form - just put a tick under the photo of the people that you would like to support.

Then drop the completed form into The Express office at 115 Faulkner St.

The chance to vote runs for three weeks - we are already almost finished the first of these.

This week and the next, we will publish regular updates of the number of votes each nominee has received.

In the third and final week, the voting will go ‘behind closed doors’ - this means you can still continue to vote but we will keep nominees’ totals hidden to add an edge of mystery.

The person with the most votes will be crowned the Readers’ Choice Serviceperson of the Year.

There will also be another winner - determined by a secret panel of judges.

The winner of each category - Reader’s Choice and Judges’ Choice - will celebrate with $500 cash.

Winners will be announced at the Armidale Business Chamber awards at the Armidale Racecourse on November 27.

So turn to page 4 and cast your votes and drop the form into The Express office.

The next voting form will appear in Monday’s Express.