The event, held at Kettering Conference Centre, saw athletes from a host of disciplines come together to celebrate some of the best sports performers Northamptonshire has to offer.

The director of Northamptonshire Sport Vanessa Brown paid tribute to all the winners and nominees.

She said: "I wish every success for this year's winners and I am delighted to see so much talent in the county, with many of our finalists here tonight representing their country at international standard.

"I have no doubt there will be many competitors flying the flag for Northamptonshire at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Former England and Nottingham Forest goalkeeping star, Peter Shilton OBE, hosted the event and was on hand to congratulate all the winners and runners-up.

Throughout his 30-year playing career he made 1,005 league appearances for 11 different clubs.

He began his career when he was 16 years old and took over from Gordon Banks at Leicester City.

As well as winning successive European Cups with Nottingham Forest, under Brian Clough, he also played in three World Cups.

He said: "It's a pleasure to host the awards and be in the company of so many top athletes. The fact they are here makes them all winners. All of the athletes here have put a lot of hard work into getting to where they are and I wish them all the best in the future."

A raffle on the night raised £500 for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance appeal.