Adlington was the star of the awards hosted by John Inverdale

Swimming star Rebecca Adlington has been named BBC East Midlands Sports Personality 2008.

The Mansfield Olympic sensation rewrote the history books when she took two gold medals at Beijing in the summer.

Fellow Nottinghamshire swimmer Sam Hynd, 17, took the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award and the junior title.

Legendary Notts County manager Jimmy Sirrel, who died in September, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Adlington told BBC East Midlands Today: "It definitely means a lot.

"I've been to the awards in past years and watched people like Martin Johnson win and you never think you're going to be winning it.

"It is such a great honour, especially when you've lived here all your life and supported the East Midlands."

Hynd scooped two awards on the night

Adlington's coach Bill Furniss, of the Nova Centurion Swimming Club, collected a Judges Special Award.

Sam Hynd, who won gold in the S8 400m freestyle and bronze in the SM8 200m individual medley in the Paralympics was thrilled to pick up two awards.

He said: "I'm really shocked and it's such an honour.

"The year's been fantastic and these awards reflect that."

Leicester City's Joe Mattock, who was the second youngest footballer to play for the England Under-21 team, was given the Football Achievement of the Year award.

Other Award Winners Junior Sportsperson - Becky Downie (gymnastics) Coach of the Year - Dave Brailsford (Cycling) Enterprise in Sport - Speedo (Notts) Team of the Year - GB Short track Speed Skating Team

Leicester boxer Rendall Munroe was given the Brian Clough breakthrough award.

He told the BBC: "It's great with all the hard work I've been putting in to finally achieve something.

"I think it's all down to determination and trying."

Matlock-based rugby coach Bill Halstead scooped the Unsung Hero Award.

The Awards were hosted by BBC Sport presenter John Inverdale at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall on Thursday.

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