SMITH CALLS FOR LOCAL HERO NOMINATIONS

6.05.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th May 2007

The new session of the Scottish Parliament will be opened the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh on 30th June.

As part of the ceremonial 1,200 people selected to highlight achievements across every constituency and region of Scotland will take part in a 'riding' from the City Chambers on Edinburgh's High Street to the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile. The riding marks the centuries-old Scots tradition of Parliament and people working in public partnership.

Each MSP has been asked to nominate a local hero from their constituency to take part in the riding. North East Fife MSP, Iain Smith has asked local people to send nominations to his office from which he will select one person to represent North East Fife.

Mr Smith said: "There are many people in North East Fife who contribute a great deal; it is a shame that not all of them will be able to take part in the opening of this session of the Scottish Parliament. However, I hope to receive lots of nominations and I look forward to a very difficult decision in choosing one person to nominate"

Nominations should state the reason why the person nominated is a local hero and provide contact details for them. They should be sent to arrive no later than May 30th by either post or email:

Address: Iain Smith MSP, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Email: Iain.Smith.MSP@Scottish.Parliament.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1, For more on the formal opening of the 3rd Session of Parliament see: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-07/pa07-028.htm