THE county's sports people turned out in large numbers to celebrate the achievements of the county's top performers at Herefordshire Sports Council's annual county sports awards evening.

A packed house heard the opening address from Hereford's mayor Ursula Attfield who, although admitting her own lack of sporting prowess, encouraged the young people present to continue with their sporting careers and enjoy the long-term benefits sport could bring.

Sports Council chairman Tony Larkin greeted the guests and gave an insight into the possibilities for sport at the Royal National College for the Blind where a number of students have gone on to gain national and international recognition in their chosen field.

Hereford Times editor Liz Griffin introduced the newspaper's Ted Wood-riffe Award, presented annually to a promising young sports person to further their ambitions.

This year, the award went to oarswoman Rebecca Young who gained three gold medals in international competition last summer in the space of just eight days. The presentation was made by Ted Woodriffe's widow, Patricia.

It made it a double for Rebecca who was also the Sports Council's Junior Award winner.

The Herefordshire Cricket Board's Rob Staite Memorial Award, presented annually to mark an outstanding contribution to cricket in the county, went to Jack Roberts, whose involvement with youth cricket in the county stretches back more than 30 years.

The award was accepted by the late Rob Staite's father, Brian, on behalf of Jack Roberts, who could not attend due to ill health.

Herefordshire Sports Council's own awards were presented by BBC Hereford and Worcester sports reporter Nicola Goodwin, a late stand-in for BBC sports correspondent Mary Rhodes who was unable to be present because of work commitments.

Nicola, a former international rugby player and herself a winner of the Sportswoman of the Year award back in 1997, stressed her pride in her home county and said that she was honoured to have been asked to present the awards.

HEREFORDSHIRE SPORTS COUNCIL ANNUAL AWARDS

Sportsman of the Year: Jonathan Andrews (swimming).

Sportswoman of the Year: Philippa Davies (swimming).

Coach of the Year: Richard Blackshaw (swimming).

Disabled Sportsperson of the Year: Matthew Faucher (wheelchair tennis).

Junior Sports Personality of the Year: Winner - Rebecca Young (rowing); Highly commended - Jenny Rogers (hockey), Daniel Middleton (rowing).

Junior Team of the Year: Winner - Aylestone School under-13 Xl (football); Highly commended - Hereford Swimming Club Speedo League team (swimming).

Senior Team of the Year: No award.

Club of the Year: Hereford & County Athletic Club.

Service to Sport Award: Winner - Norman Lewis (bowls); Highly commended - Jack Roberts (cricket), Peter West (football).