TWO Wear Valley sportsmen took top honours at a ceremony celebrating achievement in the region during 2004.

Teenage rugby star Mathew Tait, of Wolsingham, and basketball coach Ian Hirst were among the cream of North-East stars and unsung heroes honoured by Sport England on Sunday.

Mathew, on his 19th birthday, won the award for Junior Sport Achievement, the day after his record-setting England debut against Wales at Cardiff.

The Newcastle Falcons centre has catapulted into the international arena in his first season of senior rugby.

Playing for his school Barnard Castle just a year ago, during 2004 he represented England at the Under-19s World Cup in South Africa, scored a try on his Falcons debut and helped England's Sevens side to their first win at the Dubai Cup in the autumn.

Volunteer Ian Hirst, a serving police officer, was named Coach of the Year.

Ian almost single-handedly leads the development of basketball in the Wear Valley district, encouraging players and juniors to take on coaching roles and linking the club with schools.

Last year he led Wolsingham School and Community College to the England Under-19 Schools title even though they had no hall to play home games.

Durham cricketer Steve Harmison was named North-East Sports Personality of the Year.