THE unsung heroes of grassroots North-East sport were honoured last night.

The seventh County Durham Sport Awards presentation, at Ramside Hall Hotel, in Durham City, was attended by 380 people.

TV presenter Kim Inglis hosted the event and Derek Redmond, one of the country’s most successful 400m athletes, was the speaker.

Nominees had already won categories in five area awards.

Wheelchair-bound Kyle Hindle, from Easington, County Durham, won the Physical Activity of the Year award for outstanding progress in the Active Lives programme.

A spokeswoman for awards organiser County Durham Sport said: “At the start, he could not lift himself from his wheelchair, but in June, Kyle completed the last section of the Coast to Coast cycle ride using an arm bike.

“This change, coupled with his ongoing dedication and continued positive attitude, has been recognised and applauded by so many people across the area.”

Coach of the year was Wayne Brown, a Uefa B football coach who works with youngsters in deprived parts of Wear Valley, County Durham.

The young coach award winner was Gemma Proud, who coaches trampolining in Consett and Stanley and competes nationally.

Bearpark Primary School won Primary School Contribution to PE and the School Sport award, and Durham Johnston School won the secondary school category.

The Contribution to Physical Activity award went to Trainers (Coundon Legacy Gym), a volunteer-run fitness centre.

Volunteer of the year was Ian Johnson, of Brandon Cricket Club, who spends six hours a day preparing the ground during the season.

Megan Crombie, from Easington, a Step into Sport ambassador who carried out 200 hours of volunteering despite having ME, won the Young Volunteer award.

Willington Cricket Club, which almost folded and is now one of the region’s best clubs, won the sports club award.

The best junior club was Deerness Valley Gymnastics Club (tumbling section), England’s most successful club.

Sporting achievement of the year went to Alex Houston, of Consett, a member of Deerness High Performance Gymnastics Club, who won silver at the European and World championships.

The Contribution to Sport award was won by Barry Hudson, who oversaw the enhancement of Durham Amateur Rowing Club’s facilities over 12 years.