LITTLETONS Tennis Club and Pershore Cricket Club's John Brookes earned recognition at last night's inaugural Worcester-shire All Sports Partnerships Awards evening.

Staged at Worcester RUFC, Sixways, Little-tons were named Junior Club/Team of the Year, while Brookes was a joint winner in the Outstanding Contribution category.

The success of the junior section at Littletons has been due to the club's development work during the past few years.

With links to local schools, coaching at various levels and competitions, the village club has doubled its membership in the past three years.

A strong volunteer programme has been behind the tremendous strides that look likely to continue in the future.

The selection panel found it difficult to separate the nominations in the Outstanding Contribution category and the Pershore man shared the honour with a member of Stourport Hockey Club.

Brookes started developing the junior section at the club five years ago but he has filled many positions in his 40-year membership.

Not only has he achieved a high level as a coach himself but he has also encouraged other senior members to help out with the youngsters.

He regularly devotes his time to junior coaching but has also provided more advanced sessions for older players. With his help, several youngsters have progressed to county level.

The awards were presented by WASP sporting patrons, BBC Midlands Today presenter, Nick Owen, cricketer Richard Illingworth and England Under-18 hockey captain, Laura Price.