WORCESTERSHIRE opener Ollie Westbury capped off a summer to remember with a prestigious award.

Westbury, who has just started his first year as a professional, lifted the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust player of the year.

He was one of a trio of promising County youngsters who reaped the benefits of support from the trust in 2016.

Westbury enjoyed a prolific summer with the highlight being 196 on his debut for England under 19s against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Fenners.

He also scored consistently for the County seconds and in club cricket.

Westbury, academy elite player Ryan Wheldon and England women’s development programme's Emily Arlott each received £500 scholarships from the trust.

It helped towards travelling costs of attending coaching sessions and matches at Malvern College and New Road respectively as well as purchasing new cricket equipment.

Westbury received his award at a dinner in London when former Prime Minister John Major was a guest speaker.

He said: “It was an honour to receive the award. I was very grateful to receive the scholarship in the first place and to then have the summer I have had and win the award is brilliant.

“They give the scholarships out to numerous people and one person wins the award for their performances each summer.

“The 196 against Sri Lanka was the highlight. The summer couldn’t really have gone any better for me.

“I got back from Australia with a plan and to try to score as many runs as I could. Thankfully, that came off last summer and hopefully I can continue that into next year.”

Worcestershire academy coach Elliot Wilson said: “Each year the trust sponsors a group of players who can benefit from a bit of extra financial support.

“It is a fund for guys who have got challenging situations, like Ollie last year who was living in Dudley and making 50 to 60 extra journeys in the year down to Worcester which, for a lad not earning any pennies, is quite a cost.

“A little bit of financial support from the trust goes a long way and is always appreciated by the players and Worcestershire.”