AN athlete has been named Darlington's Young Sports Winner of the Year.

Richard Smith, 18, from Sadberge, near Darlington, was given the accolade by the Darlington Sports Winners Scheme for his outstanding achievements in national and regional athletics.

The teenager is second in the country in his age group for 400 metres and is ranked number one for the distance in the North of England.

He won a silver medal at this year's English Schools Athletic Championships and made his Great British debut against America in August. He was one of four winners commended at a special ceremony held last night at mobile phone company Orange's base in Senhouse Road, Darlington.

Judges for the annual awards scheme faced a tough task choosing a list of winners after receiving a record number of nominations over the past 12 months.

The scheme is run by Darlington Borough Council in partnership with Orange, Amec and the Master Skills Sporting Academy.

The Team of the Year Award went to Darlington Spraire Lads' Under-14 Team, who achieved success this year with a dramatic victory over previously unbeaten rivals Northallerton.

The 18-strong squad have scored a total of 61 goals this season and conceded just 15.

The Coach of the Year Trophy was given to Diane Pallister, of Darlington Swimming Club. She was commended for her work with the regional disabled junior swimming squad and with English Schools Swimming, both regionally and nationally.

Dorothy Hodgson, of Disability Sport England, received an award for services to sport.