THE efforts of rowing coaches and volunteers from clubs in the North-East and North Yorkshire have been recognised at a national awards celebration.

British Rowing has paid tribute to those who tirelessly support the sport at a mainly grass roots level across the country.

Among the recipients at the 2016 Volunteer and Coach of the Year Awards were several figures involved in the sport in the region.

They joined counterparts from across the country in receiving their accolades at the awards lunch, held at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley on Thames, at the weekend.

The eight categories in the Coach of the Year Awards included the winning coaching team, from Chester-le-Street Rowing Club.

Among the volunteer awards winners were North Young Person, Ryan Bewick, from Durham School Boat Club, Yorkshire region overall, John Sparrow, of York City Rowing Club, and Yorkshire region, event administrator, Julie McLeish of the Guy Fawkes Boat Club, York.

Richard Mortimer’s efforts in helping to organise the two-day Durham Regatta, in June, earned him the North region event administrator award title.