THE Herefordshire Sports Council Junior Sports Personality of the Year award for 2005 caps a fine year for Hereford Kayak Club's Allen Spencer (pictured right).

Spencer gained international selection for Great Britain at junior level and returned from the World Marathon Kayaking Championships in Perth, Western Australia in October with a silver medal.

Spencer and his partner, Andy Daniels, of Reading Canoe Club, were edged out by just a second by a Spanish crew in the K2 category.

There was gold, however, for Spencer and Daniels in international competition in Milan earlier in the year and the Hereford paddler, who ended his career in junior competition at the end of the year, was unbeaten domestically in marathon and sprint races during 2005.

Weobley High School pupil Daniel Middleton, who was highly commended in the Junior Sports Personality class after winning the title in 2004, also continued to underline his potential as one of the country's most promising oarsmen.

Middleton was unbeaten in 37 open regattas and won gold medals in 12 regional championships.