DANNY and Vicky Headifen have made such an impression in their short time at Darwen Dashers that Danny has been voted Dasher of the Year in his first full season at the club.

He picked up his award at the annual presentation evening, held recently at Craiglands. Now though, the couple have decided to head back to their native New Zealand with newborn daughter Keira so that the family can re-group.

Their first visit to England was when Danny boxed for his country at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester four years ago, and they liked it so much they have made the North West their home since mid 2004.

Danny says that one of his ambitions is to win a fell race, and he got close at the David Staff Race last month when he was second to England International Simon Bailey.

Until he manages that, he counts his greatest sporting achievement as qualifying for Manchester. To reach the Games, he won the Oceania Boxing Championships - our equivalent of winning the European Championships - to add a gold medal to a previous bronze.

He fought at light welterweight, the same as Ricky Hatton, and won 24 of 32 bouts. In the Commonwealth Games he drew with Sheldon Rudolph, but lost to the Jamaican opponent on countback. Rudolph was then eliminated by the eventual gold medal winner.

Running was always an important and the most enjoyable element of his training, and he kept that up after retiring from the ring.

Shortly after his move to England, a friend took him to his first fell race at Haworth - which he thought was madness - but he stayed with it and joined the Dashers after the Aggies Staircase Race in the summer of 2005.

This year he has taken part in the Dashers' Fell Race Championship, and has consistently proved to be the fastest, but twice he lost his way and was beaten in the series by Mark France.

To mark his leaving, the club presented him with a framed map of Coniston, a memento of one of the races where he strayed.

While he will be sorely missed, the feeling cuts both ways. Danny said: "I'd like to say what a great club the Darwen Dashers is, and that it has been an honour to run with them and get to know them all."

Darwen Dashers Award Winners: Road Race Champions: Russ Corsini and Simon Smith, Linda Clarkson Summer Series Champions: Andy Smith, Linda Clarkson Fell Race Champion: Mark France Maureen Roberts Trophy (most races completed): Brian Tull Improver of the Year: Russ Corsini Dasher of the Year: Danny Headifen