AWESOME foursome Pete Bedford, Andy Waddington, Jenny Earle and Chris Berry ensured Basingstoke completed its best-ever haul of winners' trophies at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Awards.

The awards are held annually to recognise achievement in sport at all levels - emerging young stars, highly successful performers and coaches, and dedicated volunteers who have devoted years to their particular sport.

Local authorities and local sports councils and forums in Hampshire and the IOW were invited to make nominations across 16 categories.

And at the special awards ceremony at Winchester's Theatre Royal on Wednesday night, attended by more than 100 people and compered by BBC South Today's Roger Johnson, Basingstoke had the most nominations - 10.

That sporting representation showed just why Basingstoke is a place to be proud of - but it got even better when the borough led the way with four individual triumphs.

Ace world champion powerlifter Bedford was first up, winning the senior sportsman title. Super-fit decathlete Waddington was next to follow him on stage to pick up the veteran sportsman accolade.

Judo and athletics star Earle was then hailed as the veteran sportswoman winner, before, finally, Berry received the leading official honour.

Afterwards, all four spoke of their delight, particularly 39-year-old Bedford.

He said: "This is great and just as unexpected as winning The Gazette Sports Awards senior men and sports personality of the year titles two weeks ago.

"This really tops my year and is a treble I'm proud of because I didn't think I would stand a chance looking at the other nominees."

The Chineham man was joined in a local and county double by all the other Basingstoke winners on Wednesday. Earle is The Gazette Sports Awards 2004 senior women's winner, Waddington the male veteran holder and Berry senior official.

Earle, who praised both her family and Basingstoke's Sports Centre, where she works, for their support, said: "I'm very, very pleased.

"I had a really good year with Great Britain and also winning the world and European championships but did think it might possibly be my last year competing.

"But they are introducing Masters Judo at the Commonwealth Games next year and I have always wanted to compete at that level, so I expect I will carry on to try to make it!"

When Waddington went on stage he was asked by Roger Johnson about his world champion status in the gruelling ultra multi events - two decathlons (20 events) in two days.

Waddington told the sports presenter and the audience: "It's all about pacing yourself."

Speaking about his latest award, he said: "It's lovely to win but I was surprised enough to even be nominated in the first place. I still don't know who did nominate me."

Athletics volunteer and grade one field judge Berry then revealed it was he who had put Waddington's name forward.

Speaking about his own accolade, the Welsh ex-international high jumper said: "I honestly didn't think I would win, so it's difficult to express what it means to me."

Basingstoke and Deane Local Sports Council chairman Kevin Laing said he was "very proud" of the 2005 winners.

He added: "It's been a great night for Basingstoke. Everyone can be very proud of what they have achieved."

Basingstoke's other six nominations in the 16 categories were England Under-19 cricketer Mitchell Stokes (junior sportsman), British University champion 200m swimmer Laura Wood (senior sportswoman), Basingstoke Town FC and its manager Ernie Howe (senior team and male coach), young football coach Phil Staines (junior volunteer) and athletics club stalwart Carol Quinn (senior volunteer).

Those from Basingstoke receiving Hampshire County Council sports bursaries were Andy Blow (athletics), Robert Tobin (athletics), Matthew Melville (cycle racing), Richard Wakor (cycling), Tom Owens (diving), Charlotte Tomkys (diving), David Hossack (full bore rifle shooting), Richard Lofthouse (in-line hockey), Scott Simmonds (kayaking), Storm Trentham (Lacrosse), Katy Watts (athletics), Jean Maton (powerlifting), Aaron Hopkins (rugby), Gwyneth McLaughlin (triathlon).

Coaching and officiating bursaries went to Basingstoke Gymnastics Club, Andy Loble (badminton), Peter Lowry (canoeing), David Mays (gymnastics), Peter Mansell (kayaking), Basingstoke RFC, Neil Buckner, Simon Lewis, Trevor Beasley, Simon Eagle, Jim Dixon, Norman Thompson (all rugby), Stuart Rees (scuba-diving), Lisa Rafferty (tennis), Gayle Mahoney (trampolining).