SOUTH Lakeland swimmer Thomas Young lifted two accolades at the Cumbria Sports Awards as the county's talented stars celebrated a fantastic year of sporting achievements last night.

Young, 19, was awarded the disability performance of the year award after scooping IPC world championship gold in the 400m freestyle in Eindhoven in August.

And his other successes through the year - two bronze medals at the world championships and a BT Paralympic World Cup gold in Manchester - set him on the victory trail as he received the Be Inspired award, presented to the category winner contributing the most to inspiring a 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy in Cumbria.

The main award of the night, the Sports Personality of the Year, went to bowls star Stuart Airey of Cargo, Carlisle.

Airey won the Australian Open Pairs competition before claiming a silver medal for England in the Mens pairs lawn bowls contest at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

The performance of the year was presented to swimmer Judy Hattle from Lazonby.

Hattle set two world short course records in the pool at a meet in Blackpool in July while also setting 11 european records and 15 British records in the last 12 months.

Barrow FC's FA Trophy exploits earned them the team of the year award while the athletics world had cause for celebration as Wigton's cross country runner Abbie Hetherington won the junior personality of the year award.

Hammer thrower Nick Miller and javelin star Natasha Wilson picked up rising star gongs along with skiier Ashley Hill, rugby star Nathan Morris and swimmer Lucy McKenzie.

Graeme Mark's dedication to rowing at Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club since the early 1970s earned him the service to sport award and Olympic archer Alan Wills was awarded the special award.

Guest Speaker mountaineer Dave Bunting MBE discussed his expedition along the west ridge of Everest in 2006, showing that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Unfortunately Mr Bunting had to descend the world's largest peak without reaching the summit for the safety of his 21-strong team, but proved inspirational to many in the 280-strong audience.

He said: “It was an honour to attend the Cumbria Sports Awards and celebrate the great achievements in sport throughout Cumbria.

"I am really impressed with the standard of talent in Cumbria and would especially like to praise this years rising stars that I am sure will go on to achieve great things in their chosen sport!”

Winners: Junior Personality, Abbie Hetherington (athletics, Wigton); Rising Stars, Ashley Hill (skiing, Kendal), Lucy McKenzie (swimming, Workington), Natasha Wilson (javelin, Wigton), Nathan Morris (rugby union, Carlisle), Nick Miller (hammer, Carlisle); Junior Team, Dowdales School Year 7 Rugby League Team (Dalton In Furness); Senior Team, Barrow Football Club; Disability Performance, Thomas Young (swimming, Carnforth); Coach, Paul Elwood (swimming, Ulverston); Volunteer, James Scott (athletics, Egremont); Young Leader, Liam Jackson(football, Carlisle); Service to sport, Graeme Mark (rowing, Brampton); Special, Alan Wills (archery, Whitehaven); Performance, Judy Hattle (masters swimming, Lazonby); Personality, Stuart Airey (archery, Carlisle); Be Inspired, Thomas Young (swimming, Carnforth).