HEREFORD paralympic star Sascha Kindred was crowned Sports Personality of the Year at last night's Sports Partnership Herefordshire & Worcestershire Sports Awards.

Kindred won the S6 200m individual medley at Rio – his seventh gold medal at six Paralympic Games.

Meanwhile, Herefordshire Badminton Academy's Jessica Hastings was named Young Volunteer of the Year.

Hastings is set to complete her level two qualification this month and has been responsible for the administration and co-ordination of all three national tournaments held in the county this year.

She is extremely enthusiastic towards the uptake of badminton and welcomes the attendance of female players to the academy.

Elsewhere, Core Skate Hereford CIC picked up the Community Project of the Year prize, while Madley Primary School were the Sports School of the Year.

Core is a project that has grown significantly from once-a-week skating lessons to providing sessions for all ages and abilities, with participation increasing from around 120 a month to over 400.

Madley Primary School, meanwhile, was awarded the Gold School Games Mark this year, with 80 per cent of pupils attending at least one extra-curricular sports club.

Sports themed visits were also provided, with trips to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, horse racing stables and BMX events.

The ceremony was held at the Sixways Stadium in Worcester, with former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies the guest speaker.

"These local events are vital to be able to highlight how important sport and physical activity is in every community and to be able to recognise those people who dedicate huge amounts of time and resource to allow people to access sport at all levels," said Davies.