The recognition of Sophie Wood's achievements at the 2001 Local Heroes Awards summed up what the awards are all about.

Sophie suffers from cystic fibrosis, but her determination and courage saw her enjoy success in artistic gymnastics and this ensured the Durham youngster picked up the Under-16 special achievement accolade.

As a nine-year-old Sophie represented the North of England at the British Gymnastics Championships and this led to the Local Heroes award - collected before an audience who were all touched by her achievements.

Five months later Sophie was similarly congratulated at the Cystic Fibrosis Awards, held at London's Grosvesnor Hotel, where she received a Junior Sport award and met television star Charlie Dimmock.

Two years on from picking up a Local Heroes award Sophie is still performing with her club, Spennymoor Gymnastics Club although she had an unfortunate start to the year as, while training for her Elite Grade, she broke her arm and missed the grade.

But with typical determination Sophie has worked her way back to fitness and last weekend took the bronze medal at Newcastle in the Regional Voluntary Levels. She now goes on to represent the North of England at the National Finals in Guildford in July.

Coach at Spennymoor GC, Nicola Preston, is extremely proud of Sophie and commends her dedication to the sport.

Se said: "Sophie is a pleasure to work with, especially when leading up to competition as she knows what her goals are and works hard to achieve it.

"In the last year she has matured so much and she's really chatty and happy in the gym.

"Her nerves sometimes get the better of her but at the Regional Voluntary Levels she again managed to keep them under control and achieve her goal which was to qualify in top four position and take the bronze medal too.

"Sophie is treated no differently to any one else, which is the way both her and her parents want, and her consultant remains confident that gymnastics is keeping her fit and healthy."

Newt weekend Sophie is travelling down with another 14 gymnasts from the club to Wiltshire for the Alpha Factor UK competition.

Maureen Dixon Regional PR Manager at Orange said "Sophie is an outstanding young lady and shows great commitment to her sport and a very deserving winner of the Under-16 Special Achievement Award in 2001.

"The Northern Echo Local Heroes Awards are a superb opportunity to recognise the very special achievements of so many dedicated sports people and we are delighted to be involved in the event."

One of Sophie's fellow club members, Amy Fosshiem, also received a Local Hero award in 2001 when she took the Under-16 Outstanding Performance title.

Amy, 13, from Darlington, has continued to go form strength-to-strength. She is still ranked No 1 in her age group and has now represented her country three times.

Her latest successes have come in the Espore floor final at Guildford this year while she also won the silver medal on the bars.

Preston is full of praise for the Hurworth Comprehensive pupil who has been a rising star with the Spennymoor club for several years.

"Amy has a maturity beyond her years and has a great gymnastic brain which makes her the champion that she is," said Preston.

"Amy is also treated no differently to the rest of the club - there are no pedestals in the gym so despite the awards and successes, everyone's feet remain on the ground.

"It is a pleasure to work with both girls being champions in their own right and makes us realise what our club is all about."

Amy and teammates Hayley Robson and Leonni Jennison all train once a month at Lilleshall National Centre of Excellence, make up one quarter of the 12-strong National Junior Squad with the other nine from around the country, which illustrates the success of the Spennymoor club.