A TINY charity has overcome competition from eight Premier League football clubs to win an accolade for its work to tackle dementia, depression and isolation.

The Sporting Memories Network, which is based in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, scooped the best community scheme at the Football Business Awards, for its work to improve the wellbeing of older people through sporting reminiscence.

Its director, Tony Jameson-Allen said he had been stunned to be presented with the award at a ceremony at Stamford Bridge stadium as the charity had been shortlisted with Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool and Sunderland.

A spokesman for the panel of judges, which included Kevin Keegan, said: "Sporting Memories project work is first class in all aspects.

"This is a really inspirational programme and it is great to see so many clubs involved."

Mr Jameson-Allen said making the shortlist had been an incredible achievement in itself and was testament to the difference the charity's volunteers were making to peoples' lives in running sporting memories groups and sessions across projects in England and Scotland.

He said: "The award brings up an incredible hat-trick for the network this year after being presented the best national dementia-friendly initiative award by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in May and making the Top 50 New Radicals list in September.

"The award is fantastic recognition for all the clubs who have embraced our work."