THE sporting pride of Bury was honoured at the Bury Metro Sports Council Gala Awards.

The awards were handed out by the town's Mayor with a fun sports quiz rounding off a great night.

And it was Bury Clarion cyclist Philip Albeiz who won Sportsman of the Year after an amazing year in which he broke the 10 and 25 mile records for the club.

Sportswoman of the Year was Sarah Bigg. The talented swimmer represented Bury Metro in an international event and won a gold, silver and bronze medal. This is in addition to winning the Schools International Swimmer trophy.

Amir Khan boxed his way to the Young Sportsman of the Year award. He continues to make great strides and has represented the England team five times, captaining them once. On all five occasions, he was voted best boxer. He holds the North West Schools title and is in the final for England schools.

In the female version of the category, Bury cross country champion Lyndsey Agg ran away with the award after a great season, in which she represented Bury in the Greater Manchester Youth Games.

Age

Derek Simpson continues to show that age is no barrier and won the Veteran Sportsman of the Year award. At the age of 72, he won his Karate black-belt after only beginning to train following his retirement as a headmaster.

Marie Caldwell was the winner in the female category after she won a bronze medal in a 24 hour track championship in Hull. She was the eldest lady in the Manchester marathon and was a baton carrier for the Commonwealth Games.

Janine Pritchard won the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award. Despite being blind as a result of a brain tumour, she rides 40-50 miles a time with Castle Knights and Tandem Club at the age of 38.

Peter James Robinson and Boccia carried away the Disabled Team of the Year. Peter has run a marathon and then went to Wales to compete in seven events; winning five and second and third in the others. He hold the record for Shot, Discuss and Javelin.

After representing England at the World Youth Games and swimming in America, Canada, Mexico, Isreal and Australia, Richard Marks of Rammy Rascals was voted International Sportsman of the Year.

Holy Cross College student Victoria Hawkins won the International Sportswoman of the Year award after being selected for the Great Britain Under 19's Water Polo team.

Following great success across the board in all competitions, Ramsbottom Swimming Club were crowned Team of the Year.

Paul Whelan won best performance at he Greater Manchester Youth Games after he was top scorer for the Bury Water-Polo team. He also competes in the tri-athlon and Cross Country.

The Bury YWCA Under-16's netball team won the Team of the Year at the Greater Manchester Youth Games.

Bury Metro Sports Council would like to thank the Mayor's Charity 2002, Northern Institute of Massage, Bury and District Ladies Rounders League, Bigg is best, Bury Sailing Club and Marks & Spencers for sponsoring the event. £220 was raised by the raffle for Christies Cancer Research and the Bury Blind Society.

Winners

Sportsman of the Year: Philip Albeiz; Young Sportsman of the Year: Amir Khan; Veteran Sportsman of the Year: Derek Simpson; Sportswoman of the Year: Sarah Bigg; Young Sportswoman of the Year: Lyndsey Agg; Veteran Sportswoman of the Year: Marie Caldwell; Disabled Sportsperson: Janine Prithcard; Disabled Team of the Year: Peter James Robinson and Boccia Team; Mens International: Richard Marks; Womans International: Victoria Charlotte Hawkins; Team of the Year: Ramsbottom Swimming Club; Male Official of the Year: Neil McCheyne; Female Official of the Year: Marion Lofthouse; Male Coach of the Year: Michael Jo Jelly; Female Coach of the Year: Mildred McManus; Community Development: Ricky Crompton; Service to Sport: Cathy Bennett; Best Individual Performance: Paul Whelan; Best Team Performance: YWCA Netball U-16's; Team of the Year: Make a Difference; Sporting Schools Preston Cup: St Andrews COE Primary; Joe Moon Award: Prestwich CC; Ronald Morris Award: Steve Taylor; Gerald Barrett Award: Joshua David Cole.