Sporting stars were honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony to celebrate the best sportsmen and women in the area.

Max Whitlock, double Olympic champion was awarded Active Basildon’s Sports Personality of the Year while Paralympic bronze medallist, Gemma Prescott, was named Disabled Sports Personality.

Halle Hilton, 12, was presented with the Young Sports Personality of the Year award for her part in the GB development squad.

Steve Mitchell, Chairman of Active Basildon said: “All the award winners have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their sports and the local community.””I am delighted we have been able to recognise them through these awards.

“We hope that their dedication will help spur others on to get involved in sport or their local community.”

Meet the winners

Sports Personality of the Year - Max Whitlock (Gymnastics)

Max won two gold medals at Rio 2016, making him a world champion and record breaker.

Max always finds time to talk to fans, parents and other children who are inspired to try out gymnastics.

Disabled Sports Personality of the Year - Gemma Prescott (Athletics)

Gemma won bronze at the Rio Paralympic Games.

Gemma trains twice a week at the Basildon Sporting Village and always pushes herself every session.

Inclusive Sports - Basildon Soccability (Disabled Football)

Basildon Soccability warmly welcomes anyone with a disability who wants to play football.

Everyone can be included and feel encouraged to participate in their programmes.

Community Champion - Vespa Ellis (Athletics)

Vespa has been an athlete and coach at Basildon Athletics Club for more than 40 years.

She is a valuable member of the coaching team, mentors the less experienced coaches and helps drive the club forward.

She volunteers for 14 to 15 hours per week coaching and attending meetings and has inspired many athletes over the years.

Enterprising Club of the Year - Bowers and Pitsea Youth Football Club (Football)

In May, Bowers and Pitsea Youth FC only had one team of 13 football players. They now have 8 youth teams ranging from U7’s – U13’s, plus growing mini soccer and toddler sessions for 2 to 6 year olds.

They now have 200+ members at the Community Football Development Centre who are getting active and enthusiastic about playing football.

Coach or Instructor of the Year - Keith Hill (Rugby)

Keith started a girls and ladies rugby team from nothing at Basildon Rugby Club four years ago.

He has ensured the club runs three girls teams and a ladies team, leading to the club gaining 70 female members.

He has also recruited all the players, organised and taken training as well as organising all of their games.

Physical Activity Project of the Year - Basildon Parkrun (Running)

Basildon Parkrun provides a free, safe and friendly 5km running or walking event for the local community.

They have more than 150 runners attending weekly.

Active Education Setting of the Year - Lee Chapel Primary School

Lee Chapel provides every child with a minimum of two hours of PE each week. 55 clubs are offered over Key Stages 1 and 2. Ninety per cent of KS2 pupils attend one club a week and 70 per cent attend two or more.

Lee Chapel won 16 out of 22 sporting competitions that were offered by the Basildon District.

The school was awarded the Gold School Games Mark which has only been given to one other school in Basildon.

Young Sports Personality of the Year - Halle Hilton (Gymnastics)

Halle currently trains at Europa gymnastics club and is part of the GB Development Squad, where she regularly attends national training.

This year, Halle finished her season being crowned Great Britain Champion for 12 year olds for vault, bars and beam. She also became the London Compulsory Champion.

Changing Lives - Robert Coyne (Multi-sport)

Robert has been a regular attendee at all Sport for Confidence activities at Basildon Sporting Village for more than two years and has an interest in getting involved in coaching activities.

He volunteers at the Eversley Leisure Centre coaching fencing and later developed this into a multi-sports session. The coaches that work with him have noticed that coaching has made him more confident and comfortable with himself.

For a full list of winners visit echonews.co.uk