DEBBIE Hampton of Southampton's Dynamo School of Gymnastics has scooped the female community coach-of-the-year award from Sport England.

Hampton, who comes from Botley, is the community sports gymastics coach for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Partnership.

Minister for Sport Richard Caborn said: "A big congratulations to Debra Hampton and the other award-winners on their fantastic achievement.

"Coaches are the backbone of our sporting nation. They are not only vital to motivating and inspiring our youth, but also helping drive our elite athletes to Olympic success."

Hampton, who guided Fareham's Vanessa Hobbs to the Athens this summer, has been a gymnastics coach for 28 years.

As well as her work with Dynamo, which involves over 200 people, she has also developed four pre-school centres in community halls to attract more youngsters into the sport.

Hampton said: "I am absolutely over the moon. I aim to enrich the lives of those children that I coach gymnastics to. It is fantastic to have someone appreciate the work you are putting in."