Fell handed BBC South West award

Fell crossed the line in second place in the 3,000m run to get silver

Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell has been named as the BBC South West Female Sports Personality of the Year.

Fell, who has finished the year as the world's number one modern pentathlete, beat off a strong list of rivals.

The 25-year-old from Merivale on Dartmoor fought through the five disciplines of the modern pentathlon on her way to second place in Beijing.

She said: "I get goose bumps when I see clips of it and think is that really me? It seems like it never happened."

Heather came sixth in the shooting and 11th in the fencing. She knew she had a great medal chance when she finished third in the 200m swim leaving two events to go.

"Things can turn around so quickly - especially with riding," she said. "When I shot half decently I thought it was down to fencing and riding. But until the ride was over anything could have happened.

"After the ride I knew I was going to get a medal I just didn't know the colour."

Fell was in silver position after the ride leaving a 3,000m run standing between her and glory.

I'm going to start training in the new year. We've got the world championships in London next year so that's a great opportunity to compete in front of the home crowds and that'll give me a taste of what'll be like in 2012

Heather Fell

"It's just down to you and your competitors then. Being in silver I thought the girl who got bronze would have overtaken me but she didn't."

Fell moved back to Devon in the run-up to the Olympics and it seemed to inspire her.

"The last year has been easier. The year before things had gone wrong and I'd come back home to train. I just focused on getting to the Games. Now I have to look beyond that but I keep putting it off."

Since winning her silver medal, Fell has been content to enjoy her time by attending functions.

"It's been great fun. I haven't really stopped and I haven't said no to any opportunity. Sport has been coming fourth or fifth on my list of priorities where normally it's first. I'm just having a great time and not having to worry about things like training and eating.

"I'm trying to give a bit back and meeting people and making the most of it. I will eventually have to go back training but I'm making the most of now.

"The medal secures my UK Sport funding and there are a lot more financial opportunities. People are more willing to help you. It's amazing how much a silver medal is worth in that sense."

The hard work starts in the new year with a trip to Australia but Fell's future plans are still uncertain.

"I'm going to start training in the new year. We've got the world championships in London next year so that's a great opportunity to compete in front of the home crowds and that'll give me a taste of what'll be like in 2012. If I do decide to give up it'll be a good time to.

"The next four years won't be as exciting as the last few months. I've got to be realistic about that. It'll be a lot of long hard slogs between now and 2012 so I have to be properly ready for it if I am going to do it."

Fell proudly displayed her Olympic silver medal after success in China

The five disciplines of the modern pentathlon call on all-round sporting skills, but Fell has her favourites.

"Probably I do more riding than I need to do as its part of my hobby as well. It's something I enjoy. I enjoy being outside. My run and swim have improved a lot in the last year."

As well as her five disciplines, Fell enjoys playing hockey and tennis. Her time away over the next few weeks will reveal where she goes from here.

"That'll give me time to reflect on this year and see where we go from here. I'm not going to make any rash decisions."

Fellow Olympic medallists Cassie Patten (swimming) and Annie Vernon (rowing) were highly commended by the judges in the category.