CRICKETER Steve Harmison was named North-East Sports Personality of the Year at a ceremony last night.

Sport England's annual event, sponsored by development agency One NorthEast, recognised the cream of the region's sporting stars, and some of its unsung heroes.

Durham fast bowler Harmison won the award following an incredible series of displays for England last year, which saw him elevated to number one in the world rankings.

The Ashington Express, who is in South Africa with the national squad, also won the award for performance of the year after he claimed six wickets, for 46 runs in a Test match against the West Indies at The Oval in August.

Other awards handed out at the event, in Sunderland's Seaburn Centre, included Team of the Year to Middlesbrough Football Club for their achievement in winning the Carling Cup, the first major trophy in the club's history.

Rugby star Mathew Tait, who made his debut for England at the weekend, won the award for Junior Sports Achievement.

The Newcastle Falcons player, from Wolsingham, County Durham, also celebrated his 19th birthday at the event.

Multiple Paralympic gold medal winner Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was named Disabled Sportsperson of the Year, and the Jackie Milburn Award, for lifetime achievement, went to Brendan Foster, who followed in the footsteps of previous winners George Harwick, Sir Bobby Robson and Jack Charlton.

The Services to Sport award went to Brian Eeles for his commitment to swimming in the North-East over 40 years.

Mr Eeles, who joined Consett Swimming Club in 1966, has held several positions in the sport and, in 2002, was made president of the national amateur swimming association.

Coach of the Year is police officer Ian Hirst, of Wear Valley Basketball Club, in County Durham, who coaches on a voluntary part-time basis.

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

The award for the region's best Sports Governing Body went to the Women's Sports Foundation North-East. The Croft Motor Circuit, near Darlington, won an award for support to sport.