OLYMPIC hero Larry Godfrey was named Sportsperson of the year at South Gloucestershire Council’s Sports Awards in Filton.

The 36-year-old, who is a member of Hambrook-based Cleve Archers club, reached the last 16 in the men’s individual archery competition at London 2012, and also made the World Cup Final in Tokyo.

Yate-based motorbike racer Luke Hedger, 17, took the aspiring Young Sportsperson of the Year award after winning the British 125GP Championship, while at the other end of the spectrum 53-year-old Caron Hale of Thornbury was honoured as the Veteran Sportsperson of the Year having represented Great Britain team at the Veteran European Team Championships and Veteran World Championship at two weapons.

Olympians, Parlympians, British champions, clubs, coaches and schools gathered for the annual event which recognises sporting achievement and the contribution sports clubs make to communities in the district.

The golden summer of sporting achievement may have come to an end but the community spirit shown during the Olympic and Paralympic torch relay and the London 2012 Games will leave a lasting legacy.

And the winners of our sports awards have clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring sporting activities are championed at a grass roots level.

Cllr Claire Young, Chair of the Communities Committee, said: “The 2012 awards ceremony was a great success, especially after such an incredible year for sporting achievement in the wake of the Olympics and the Paralympics.

“There were many worthy recipients who have achieved so much this year and their sporting accomplishments highlight the number of talented athletes and dedicated coaches that we have in South Gloucestershire.”

Awards: Contribution to creating and Olympic and Paralympic Legacy -Blackhorse Primary School, Emersons Green; Sportsperson of the Year - Larry Godfrey; Aspiring Young Sportsperson of the Year - Luke Hedger; Aspiring Young Disabled Sportsperon of the Year - Sian Williams; Veteran Sportsperson of the Year - Caron Hale; Coach of the Year - Paralympic assistant basketball coach Jen Browning; Young Coach of the Year - Ross Lee, Bradley Stoke Youth Football Club; Club of the Year - Cleve Archers; Contribution to inclusive Sport Award - Ken Elliott, Bradley Stoke Special Athletics Swimming Club; James Clifford Memorial Award - Laura Butler, Sir Bernard Lovell School; Personal Achievement Award - Ibrahima Diallo, Paralympic footballer; Community Sport Award sponsored by Airbus in the UK - Ray Jones, Kingswood Amateur Boxing Club.