ELLESMERE PORT had much to be proud of at the annual Cheshire West and Chester Sports Awards.

Not only did Billy Bridge, a wheelchair basketball player from Ellesmere Port, receive a special accolade for his achievements at the awards, but West Cheshire Athletics Club was crowned Club of the Year.

Billy, who is a member of Great Britain’s U22s basketball squad, was named Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year at the event, held at Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

The 17-year-old also plays wheelchair basketball for the Vikings Basketball Club and the Rhinos Superleague team in Wolverhampton, and helped his local team to gain successive promotions.

He has captained the U19 North West region to gold in the national wheelchair championships, and also contributed to Great Britain’s U22 team reaching the Worlds Championships, after coming fourth in the European Championships last July.

Billy, who has been invited to train at the Great Britain men’s senior camps, is now aiming to compete for Paralympics GB at the Rio Paralympics in 2016.

And West Cheshire Athletics Club has attracted nearly 100 new members since the 2012 Olympic Games, having run a successful ‘Come and Try Session’ at the Stanney Oaks Athletics Track in August.

Cheshire-based Dame Sarah Storey, who won four gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics, presented the winners with their awards and told the audience all about her inspirational story.

She said: “I really enjoyed the awards and hearing about the stories of the nominees.

“It is great to celebrate the achievements of people who give so much to create opportunities for others to play sport or those talented individuals who dream of competing at the top of their chosen sport.”

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and recreation, added: “Cheshire West and Chester Council considers sport and physical activity to be central to the health, well-being and prosperity of our local communities and it was extremely fitting to come together for these annual awards to recognise the people and organisations that make it all happen.”

The winners will be going forward to represent the borough in the Cheshire and Warrington Sports Awards at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington on Friday, April 19.