TALENTED young sportsmen and women from Richmondshire had their achievements recognised at the recent district sports council junior awards.

The sixth annual awards ceremony, run with the district council, was held at the Wensleydale School, Leyburn.

The presentations featured categories for individual and team sports for under-11s, under-14s, under-16s and under-19s.

A prize was also given to the coach of the year and the Noel Heaton memorial award for service to sport was presented for the first time in memory of Mr Heaton, a former Sports Council committee member.

Winners of the memorial award were Peter Marshall and Barbara Hardisty for long service to sports clubs. Mr Marshall has been involved with Richmond Town FC for more than 20 years as chairman, treasurer, groundsman and coach, while Mrs Hardisty has given 27 years service to Richmond Dales swimming club.

Other winners were Andrew Mollitt as coach of the year and Richmond hockey club under-18 boys, who were team of the year.

Jane Metcalfe, Sports Council chairman, said the ceremony, at which more than 130 people were honoured, represented a success story.

"I would like to say thank you to the members of the Sports Council, who are all volunteers, Richmondshire district council and the event sponsors Randall Orchard," she said.

"It is always a pleasure to see people succeed in their chosen sports and the high number of awards that were given out only highlights the showcase of talent we have in the district."

Results. - Young sports person of the year: Under-11 boys, Ryan Bishop, swimming; girls, Rebecca Henderson, swimming. Under-14 boys, Johnathan Richardson, motor cycle trials; girls, Scarlett Gray, cross-country and athletics. Under-16 boys, Sam Stanislaus, athletics; girls, Kathryn Wardle, motor cycle trials. Under-19 boys, Gavin Lowther, motor cycle trials; girls, joint winners Katy Sunter, motor cycle trials, and Charlotte Hanson, water polo.

Malcolm Rogerson memorial cup, sponsored by Richmond Duck Club, for best all round sports person: Jodi Ewart, football for school and county, golf for England under-16 elite squad and first team, and a member of Yorkshire ladies A and B teams.

Coach of the year: Andrew Mollitt, Richmond School.

Noel Heaton memorial award for service to sport: joint winners Peter Marshall and Barbara Hardisty.

Team of the year: Richmond hockey club under-18 boys.