TENNIS stalwart John Schofield was last night named the overall Local Hero of 2010 for his lifetime of dedication to the sport at grassroots level.

Mr Schofield has spent more than 40 years supporting tennis after starting work with Yarm Tennis Club in 1968.

As well as giving countless youngsters their first taste of the sport, Mr Schofield also pioneered disability tennis, both in the North-East and nationally.

The judges said: “John’s story represents what these awards are all about – celebrating the achievements and dedication of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the world of grassroots sport.

“He has touched so many lives through four decades of hard work and it is high time he was recognised.”

The overall award was the climax of a glittering event attended by more than 1,000 people at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, County Durham.

The event was due to take place on December 2, but had to be postponed because of the bad weather conditions.

A host of star guests included North-East athletics legend Brendan Foster and Middlesbrough Football Club manager Tony Mowbray.

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson and his brother, Paul, a former England and Yorkshire cricketer, were there to see their father, Adrian, presented with The Sir Bobby Robson Ambassador For Sport Award for services to cricket in North Yorkshire.

The 11th year of the awards inspired a record number of entries, with nominees ranging from six-year-olds to 90- year-olds in a variety of sports.

The evening, compered by The Northern Echo Editor Peter Barron, raised £5,000 for First Sport, formerly Sports Aid Northern, which gives grants to youngsters to help them on their way in sport.

A souvenir supplement for the awards, with a full list of honours, and pictures, will be published in Saturday’s edition of The Northern Echo.