HEREFORDSHIRE's top sportsmen and women were honoured when the Herefordshire Sports Council held their 21st annual presentation evening at the Royal National College for the Blind.

"There are 30 sports represented here tonight," said chairman Tony Larkin in his welcoming address to a packed hall. "No other occasion has such a cross-section of sports represented."

Mr Larkin emphasised the value of the 'Sport for All' ethos promoted by the sports council, stressing that everyone, whether able-bodied or disabled, should be able to take part in sport. He pointed out that 12 per cent of Herefordshire's population, around 21,000 people, had some form of disability.

Secretary Bryan White, a pillar of the Herefordshire Sports Council throughout its history, drew on the words of an internationally revered sports enthusiast as the keynote of his address.

"Nelson Mandela said recently 'sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else can',

"Looking at the big picture, isn't this what we want sport to do for us in our community?" asked Mr White.

"The leaders of our community must realise the part a thriving sporting community can play in achieving the aims of Herefordshire Council's long term plan: namely to 'build an inclusive society; realise the potential of the people in that community; encourage participation and partnership working; seek improvement; recognise and make the most of what we've got'.

"Sport has the power to change the world - it is up to us all to make it happen in our part of the world - Herefordshire."

The awards were presented by British Olympic badminton bronze medallist Simon Archer, from Worcester, who gave a brief and entertaining resume of his career to date.

l Sportsman of the year: Rob Weale (bowls); Sportswoman: Nicola Bedwell (triathlon); Junior: Jenny Spencer (kayak), highly commended - Guy Solven (windsurfing); Coach: Tony Spencer (kayak); Team: Ewyas Harold FC; Club: Bromyard Bowmen (archery); Services to Sport: Jock Handley (football), highly commended - Derek Hince (cricket).

The Hereford Times Ted Woodriffe Award and bursary for a young sportsperson went to Nerys Hamlett (hockey) and the Rob Staite Award for an outstanding contribution to cricket went to Mike Bryon of Marden CC.