TOP sporting talent was recognised at a special awards ceremony.

The Tendring Sports Personality Awards were held at Clacton's Princes Theatre on Thursday.

They celebrated the spectacular achievements of individuals, teams, coaches and volunteers from across the district.

Harwich Boxing Club's Rio Gordon packed a punch in the Male Sports Personality category.

He was a popular winner after a stunning season that culminated in six wins from nine bouts.

His success included making the national England Boxing Elite and Haringey Box Cup semi-finals, as well as the National Amateur Boxing Championship quarter-finals.

However, the highlight of the season saw him capture the central area of England belt in May.

Links Karate Club's talented Ethan Day won the Junior Male Sports Personality Award while javelin-thrower Jennifer Rose Morgan won the female equivalent - a fitting reward after being called up by England for this summer's Youth Nations Cup.

Harvey Bell (trampolining) was runner-up in the junior male category and Devon Gleave (volleyball) third.

Ishani Kadambi (martial arts) was second in the female section, followed by joint third-placed pair Lauren Baker (football) and Chloe Mason (showjumping).

Vanessa Roberts (swimming) won the Inspired by Sport award - Ellis Hough (gymnastics) was runner-up - while athlete Sam Plummer sprinted to success in the New to Sport category. Lawson Nunn (sailing) was second.

Frinton Cricket Club capped their memorable 2019 by winning the Sports Team of the Year prize.

The Ashlyns Road side were crowned East Anglian Premier League champions.

It was their first-ever Premier League title and they also became the first Essex winners.

Clacton-based Performers Gymnastics Academy were second and Chase Lane Primary School's years five and six football team third.

Harwich Boxing Club's Martin Webb was a worthy winner of the Coach of the Year category - Cannons Basketball Club's Chris Tight was second - while Vandi Rathbone, Michael Self and Dan Casey were joint-recipients of the Local Community Award.

Tendring Technology College were top of the class in the Educational Establishment category, narrowly pipping Clacton County High School.

Kirby Primary Academy were third.

There was recognition for the Sport for Confidence (Contribution to Disability Sport) and Swim Safe (Physical Activity Project) schemes.

And there were special recognition awards for Jack Tattersall and Ellie Challis.

Tendring Cricket Club's quick-thinking Tattersall rushed to the aid of a fellow player who collapsed in the middle of a match at Dedham in June.

He performed lifesaving CPR and carried on giving first aid until the air ambulance arrived.

Challis, meanwhile, was crowned a World Para Swimming Championship medallist in September.

One of the youngest members on the GB team for the London Aquatics Centre event, the Little Clacton teenager, who lost her limbs to meningitis when she was a baby, sped to a ground-breaking bronze in the 50 metres backstroke S3, coming home in a time of 58.91 seconds.

The awards were organised by Tendring District Council and Active Tendring and the sponsors were Active Tendring, Rose Builders, Orsted, D Marvan Services and Morrisons.

For full coverage and a picture special, see next week's Clacton, Frinton and Walton Gazette and Harwich and Manningtree Standard.