DISABLED young people from across the North-East were honoured yesterday at an awards ceremony for their sporting achievements.

They were recognised for displaying bravery and determination despite suffering from various mental and physical disabilities.

This year's North-East English Federation of Disability Sports Organisations (EFDS) Sports Achievement Awards took place at Durham County Cricket Club, in Chester-le-Street.

Gary Doig, North-East community relations officer for sponsors npower, said: "Supporting these awards and working with the EFDS allows us to reward people who are creative with their energy too.

"We have hundreds of staff and thousands of customers in the area, so it's important to us to invest our time and energy in what's important to them.

Winners included track athlete Lee Hunter, of Redcar, east Cleveland, and field athlete Mary Suggett, of Stanley, County Durham, who both suffer from cerebral palsy.

Ms Suggett was presented with her award by last year's winner Caroline Jennison, the gold medal-winning gymnast from Middlesbrough.

Mr Doig said: The calibre of the nominations was outstanding - even better than last year.

"We saw an amazing array of sporting talent and achievement at the awards and Lee is a hot prospect for the future."

Winners were: Male Young Achiever: Lee Hunter. Female Young Achiever: Mary Suggett.

Team of the Year: Percy Hedley Fishing Team, of Forest Hall, Newcastle, which has 11 team members who suffer from various learning and physical disabilities.

Male Personality: Raymond Percival, of Hartlepool, who suffers from learning disabilities - golf.

Female Personality: Caroline Jennison, of Middlesbrough, who suffers from learning disabilities - artistic gymnastics.

Coach of the Year: June Burnett, of Middlesbrough - gymnastics.