WIRRAL'S sporting heroes were celebrated at a glittering ceremony hosted by Radio Merseyside’s Ian Kennedy and Olympian Tom Bosworth.

The 60th anniversary awards were opened by the Mayor, Councillor Cherry Povall to an audience of hundreds at the Floral Pavilion.

The Wirral Sports Forum hosts the Awards each year, and over the last decade it has grown beyond all recognition.

Chairman Ronan Kearney said: "The best thing about the awards, apart from being a brilliant night celebrating the success and talent on the Wirral, is that we take all the proceeds of the night and use it to fund the largest sports bursary program on the Wirral.

"I want to thank everyone involved, including our small team of volunteers and all our sponsors, for coming together to create something fantastic."

The awards celebrate successful athletes, outstanding schools, and also unsung volunteers and community sports groups.

This year saw Matthew Harding win Outstanding Achievement for his fifth place in weightlifting at the Paris Paralympics, while Danny Hamm won Sportsperson of the Year for battling cerebral palsy to win international cricket caps for England on the tour of India. Letitia McKee was young Sportsperson of the year for her European boxing title.

Full list of Winners

Junior Team of the year

Winner: New Brighton Gymnastics

Lifetime Achievement

Winner: Michelle Stalker

Special Recognition

Winner: Ava Amer

Winner: Carmel Pryce

Winner: Lucy Mackie

Winner: Margaret Delaney

Sports Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Sue Sherratt

Coach of the Year

Winner: Jay Thompson

Young Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Theresa McGinity

Sports Person of the Year

Winner: Mathew Harding (Paralympics)

Outstanding Achievement

Winner: Danny Ham (International Cricket)

Sporting Excellence

Winner: Emily Kearney (European Athletic Championships)

Winner: Chloe Watson (Boxing)

Winner: Beth Williamson (DMT)

Primary Team of the Year

Secondary Boys Team of the Year

Winner: St Anselm's U15's Cross Country

Secondary Girls Team of the Year

Winner: WGSG U13s  football

Sports Dept of the year

Winner: Pensby High School

Senior Team of the year

Winner: New Brighton Women's Softball Cricket

Sports Club of the year

Winner: Footibees

Young Sportsperson of the Year

Winner: Letitia McKee

Active Wirral Individual

Winner: Celsie Ellis

Active Wirral Organisation

Winner: Elevate Fitness