THE achievements of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's sports stars, coaches, volunteers and officials were recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The sixth annual Hampshire and I.O.W sports awards were held at Hampshire's Rose Bowl with a number of winners coming from the Daily Echo region.

Among the 2008 winners was 15 year-old basketball player James Blandford, from North Baddesley, who shared the Junior Sportsman award with Hampshire tennis player James Chaudry.

Mountbatten School pupil Blandford, who has captained England at U15 level and at U17 level during the last year, was one of three England players invited to attend a FIBA training camp in Greece last year.

He also captained the South West Basketball squad at three international tournaments and led Hampshire's U15 team to the National Schools Final.

Blandford said it was "a big honour" to share the award with National U16 tennis champion and current British U16 no1 Chaudry.

"I was pretty shocked when I got the letter saying I was shortlisted and then when I realised I had won, it was like wow', so it is nice," he said after collecting the award from BBC South TV presenter Roger Johnson, who hosted the event.

"I am really pleased and it is a big honour."

Lymington-based sailor Ben Paton, 22, was surprised to win the Senior Sportsman category - especially as Basingstoke-based Wasps and England flanker Tom Rees, a member of England's World Cup and RBS Six Nations squads, was among the competition.

Paton came top after winning the World and European Championships in the Laser Radial class during 2007.

"That was a tough one to win especially against a guy who is pretty impressive playing for England, so it is a nice surprise," he said.

Athlete Jonathan Tilt, 45, from Romsey, who has twice overcome testicular cancer, most recently in 1999, shared the vetrean sportsman award with another athlete David Elderfield, after winning two gold medals in the World Masters Championships in Italy last summer.

Tilt won gold in the 400m and 4x400m relay in the 40-45 yrs class and also claimed silver in the 400m hurdles.

"It is really nice to receive the award and have my achievements recognised," he smiled.

Disabled sailor Geoff Holt, from Winchester, who entered the record books after becoming the first disabled person to sail solo around Britain, was named Senior Disability Sportsman of the year.

Holt - the 2007 BBC South Sports Personality of the Year - was working in France so missed the ceremony.

But fellow sailor Alison Gunn, who missed out in the Senior Disability Sportsman category, collected the award on his behalf.

She said: "Anyone who knows Geoff or what he has done knows how much of an inspiration he is.

"He is a great guy and a credit to sailing and sport in general."