TEENAGER Laura Whitfield was last night crowned the Local Hero of 2003 at an unforgettable celebration of North-East grassroots sport.

Laura, 13, from Sunderland, was the star of the Local Heroes Awards, powered by npower, at the Tall Trees Hotel, near Yarm.

She has a condition called Achondroplasia - which causes a restriction in growth - but has overcome great hardship to be a winner in the swimming pool.

The audience of more than 500 people at the awards ceremony heard how one of the effects of her condition is that Laura suffers from extremely painful joints.

Laura has to take painkillers and a mild anesthetic every time she trains, which is six days a week. But it hasn't stopped her having a fantastic year. At the national junior disabled swimming championships last November, she won five gold medals and two silvers. Earlier this month, she swam against seniors in the national championships and came home with gold, silver and bronze medals.

She also lost her mother from cancer this summer and has been an inspiration in helping her father, Dave, cope with the tragedy.

Guests at the ceremony included Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren and his Sunderland counterpart, Mick McCarthy, while one of McCarthy's players, Michael Proctor, was also present.

British swimmer Mark Foster, world and Commonwealth record holder, was another famous name in attendance.

Co-sponsor Orange arranged for Laura and another category winner, Stephanie Proud, to train with Mark as part of their prize.

There were also emotional scenes as Robert Ellis, the inspiration behind Spennymoor Boxing Academy, was named the npower Leading Light award winner.

Also, after winning North-East Newspaper of the Year, The Northern Echo was awarded £1,000 to donate to charity. Last night managing director, David Kelly, gave that money to Sports Aid Northern.