MULTI-EVENT athlete Hannah Bardo was a dual winner at the Active Maldon Sports Awards as she took home the Young Sports Personality of the Year and Sports Personality of the Year honours.

The presentation evening was hosted by Active Maldon and Maldon District Council’s Leisure and Sports Development team at the newly refurbished Blackwater Leisure Centre.

It was the district’s first Active Maldon Sports Awards since 2008, with ten awards presented to winners by dignitaries and special guests including Great Britain Paralympic sailor Hannah Stodel.

Bardo secured the two awards after ending a fantastic 2015 placed in the UK’s top 12 for pentathlon in the girls’ under-13 age group.

She secured that position by winning the Kent Under-13 Pentathlon Championships in Tonbridge at the end of August and the multi-talented athlete’s successes also included becoming Essex under-13 indoor long jump champion in February.

She was the Essex Schools’ pentathlon bronze medalist in May and also saw Eastern Region successes, taking an indoor long jump silver medal, 60 metre indoor hurdles silver, an outdoor high jump silver and the 70m hurdles bronze outdoors.

Councillor Ron Pratt, chairman of the council’s community services committee said; “It is so positive to see such a wealth of talent and commitment within the District.

“It is hoped that many more individuals and clubs are inspired to keep progressing and developing and they too could be a winner at the next Active Maldon Sports Awards.”

Other significant awards were claimed by the Plume School, who won the school or college of the year and Tillingham Tigers were named as sports club of the year.

The evening was a great success and award winners received an array of prizes including shields, trophies and sponsored health and fitness memberships from Places for People Leisure.

Active Maldon award winners for 2015: Young volunteer of the year: Beth Morrell. Active workplace of the year: Provide Maldon. Physical activity of the year award: Simon Walker and football development team. Unsung hero of the year: Gordon Harvey. Changing lives through sports and physical activity: Mick Elliott. Coach of the year: Colin Davis. Sports club of the year: Tillingham Tigers. School or college of the year: The Plume. Sports and young sports personality of the year: Hannah Bardo.

Councillor Henry Bass, vice-chairman of Maldon District Council, said “It was fantastic to be part of the 2015 Active Maldon Sports Awards and recognise the achievements of great individuals and clubs.”

The nomination process for the Active Maldon Sports Awards 2016 will be open from May.