OLYMPIC gold medal winner Jason Queally paid tribute to Bolton's own sporting stars at the weekend.

The cycling champion of the Sydney Games presented the BEN Sports Awards which featured the Sports Personality of the Year and the BEN Team of the Year.

Swimmer Anthony Howard, who also represented Britain at the Sydney Olympics won the major award, the BEN Sports Personality, while Horwich Harriers Modern Pentathlon team, who have picked up a string of major successes since being formed five years ago, were the team of the year.

Nominated for the Sports Personality award were Mike Faraday, who last week completed his 250th marathon in Dublin, and Gary Harold, track captain of Horwich Harriers.

Farnworth Social Circle under 18s, winners of the Jake Tatlock Knockout Cup for the last seven years, and Bolton Rugby Union Club first XV were the other nominations.

The Special Achievement Award went to Rob Hodgkiss, who underwent a heart transplant and then went on to win gold and silver medals at the Transplant Games. Also nominated were Sophie Hancock and Peter James-Robinson.

The Junior Sports Personality was hockey international Jessica Bowman and the Junior Team of the Year were Bolton Eagles in-Line Hockey under 11s. Also nominated for the junior personality award were Brian Hall and Rebecca Tong and in the team event, Bolton Wrestling Club and Sharples under 13s football team.

The Bolton Forum for Sport's Coach of the Year was Dave Evitts of Bolton Metro Swimming Squad and the Volunteers Investment Programme winners were Stewart Westhead and Keith Makin of Horwich Harriers. Lifetime Achievement awards went to Raymond Marks of Bolton Sports Federation and the late Jim Grimshaw, for services to long-distance swimming. His award was collected by his widow Mrs Hilary Grimshaw.