SPORTING stars from across the Braintree District have been honoured and celebrated at a record-breaking fifth Active Braintree Sports Awards.

The annual awards, held at Braintree Arts Theatre, recognise the achievements of individuals, clubs and volunteers and those in the community who make a difference in sport and physical activity.

This year, a record number of 131 nominations were received, with an impressive list of achievements from the district's sports people and organisations.

The star award as Sports Personality of the Year was claimed by Braintree Bullets BMX Club star Oli Cutmore.

It was the 25-year-old's second time in picking up the top honour, after last winning it in 2015, and the way he bounced back from an injury-plagued start to the year to take second place at the UEC Challenge BMX European Championships in France and be a finalist at the World Championships in Azerbaijan caught the judges' eyes.

Cutmore, who also took silver at the British Championships, was delighted to take the award again on a personal level, but also to see the Bullets get recognised by picking up the Community Club of the Year honour.

He said: “It was probably my worst start to the year with injuries that I had as I had a number of broken bones, but it turned out to be much better than it started.

“Despite such a bad start, I secured what I felt was one of the best results that I’ve ever had when I finished second at the European Championships.

“That was something that I was really pleased with.

“So it's great to be recognised locally for it and I was also so pleased that the club got the Club of the Year award as well.

“It’s good to have the club with the support they give me and it’s not just me; there are lots of people at the club who get these results.

“It shows how good a club it is, how we are growing and how successful it is."

Other big winners on the night were rising athletics star Jess Hopkins, who claimed the Young Sports Personality of the Year award after finishing 2018 as number one in the UK under-17 heptathlon rankings, and Braintree Basketball Club's Jazz Stark, who was named as Coach of the Year, and Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School, who took the School or College of the Year award.

Braintree councillor Peter Tattersley, cabinet member for health and communities, said: “It’s great that we have been able to run these awards again, which highlight the depth in sporting talent we have right here on our doorstep, while having the opportunity to reward and recognise those individuals, groups and organisations across the district who are dedicated to sport and physical activity.

"Over 100 nominations were submitted for the awards this year which is a testament to the efforts of local people taking part in and promoting sport.”

Organisers also thanked the award sponsors, that included Fusion Lifestyle, Tesco, Chairman of Braintree District Council, the Braintree & Witham Times, George Yard Shopping Centre, Milbank Concrete Products, First Service Baker Tennis Academy, Greenfields Community Housing, Healthwatch Essex and Provide.

All those shortlisted for an award have been automatically nominated into the Essex Sports Awards which will take place on December 5 at Chelmsford City Racecourse.