ADRIAN Hedley has been crowned The Northern Echo's Cricketer of the Year following a record-breaking season with the bat.

Hedley scooped July's award after a phenomenal month at the crease and, although there were several worthy contenders for the prize, the Horden batsman claimed the prestigious trophy - sponsored by Mike Gough Sports of Hartlepool - after an extraordinary season.

Hedley smashed the Durham Senior League amateur batting record, set by former Durham County cricketer Jimmy Daley, by posting a mammoth 1,397 runs.

The 27-year-old opening batsman entered the final month of the season still needing 177 runs from seven innings but cruised to the target well inside the distance and finished 58 runs to the good.

Hedley plundered a massive 852 runs - in only five innings - in July. His first victims were Eppleton when he thrashed 130 off 89 balls with five sixes and 16 fours at the start of his prolific month. He then hit 153 at Boldon before posting a massive 198 against South Hetton - with 22 fours and nine sixes.

Hedley then cracked 168 from 117 balls at Seaham Harbour with five sixes and 23 fours, and blasted a whirlwind 99 (ten boundaries and eight sixes in only 50 balls) in Horden's one-wicket victory against Marsden.

He rounded off the month by cracking 106 not out, with Eppleton again on the receiving end of his bludgeoning willow.

Horden CC chairman Kenny Lincoln said at the time his talented charge was one of the most gifted cricketers he had ever seen.

"I managed to get the record with a few innings to spare," said Hedley, who finished with an average of 78.

"There was no real secret to my batting this season. I just played with a straight bat and it came quite naturally to me.

"I've always hit the ball quite hard but this year I've been seeing the ball quite well and hitting it harder than ever. It's probably on natural ability rather than having to work on my technique or anything."

Despite Hedley's prolific season with the bat, his club have not enjoyed the same success. Horden did pick up during the run-in and made a limited overs cup final, but fell just short in a close encounter with the league champions.

"We finished in the bottom half of the table. It wasn't too bad but we just couldn't win the toss to gain the advantage," said Hedley, who has spent six seasons at the club.

"We got to the Tom Burn Cup final. We should have won it but we threw it away and eventually lost to league champions South Shields. They posted 220 and we finished seven short of the total."

As for the future Hedley revealed he intends to stay with Horden and is trying to attract new recruits to the club, although he did admit he was finding it difficult.

He said: "We're in the process of trying to get a few young players in. It's proving difficult because they all want to play in the premier league and try and get a chance at county cricket."