THREE of British motorsport's highest accolades were awarded to the North-East at the the Motor Sports Association's star-studded Night of Champions ceremony.

The event, attended by Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton, saw Darlington rally driver Guy Wilks, 26, receive the MSA British Rally Champion's Trophy.

Wilks drove his Mitsubishi Evo to victory in five of last years seven championship rounds.

He will defend his title in 2008 and is also tipped for future stardom in the World Rally Championship.

Paul Swift, aged 28 and also from Darlington, collected the MSA British Autotest Champion's Trophy for the third time - one more than his famous father Russ.

He will now pursue a career in stunt driving and this week will fly to South Africa to star in the country's MPH Show with BBC Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

Off the track, Drew Gibson, aged 23 from Consett, earned the Renault/MSA Young Motor Sport Photographer of the Year Trophy and a cheque for £1,000.

Gibson's excellent portfolio of work - that included photos of Lewis Hamilton - made him a clear winner.

Presenting Gibson with his prize was the Renault Formula 1 Team's Executive Technical Director Pat Symonds, who previously masterminded Fernando Alonso to his two F1 World Drivers' titles.

At event held at the Royal Automobile Club on London's Pall Mall, Hamilton received the Hawthorn Trophy - awarded to the highest-placed Commonwealth driver in the previous year's FIA F1 World Championship.

The Briton finished second in his debut F1 season, missing out on the title by just one point.