Ben Cohen won the award ahead of five other candidates

One of the stars of the World Cup-winning squad in Australia, Cohen beat off competition from other world beaters to pick up his latest accolade.

Among the other candidates from across the east of England, was Paula Radcliffe, the runner from Bedford who holds the women's marathon world-record.

Cohen said he was shocked by his latest triumph.

Regional votes

"I can't believe it, I'm absolutely gob-smacked and just overwhelmed and would like to thank all the people who voted for me," he said.

"It's been a long two months and a great couple of weeks after winning the World Cup and coming back to that reception and this will be up there with it."

BBC Radio Northampton listeners selected Cohen as the county's representative in the regional competition.

The rugby player then accumulated votes from right across the region to take the award.

The other candidates were Essex swimmer James Gibson, Suffolk golfer Liz Steadman, T.J Baldwin the Norfolk skier and Cambridge rowing coach Martin Rooney.