JENNY Nesbitt and Ben O’Brien were the senior sports personality winners at a successful City of Worcester Sport Awards evening.

Long-distance runner Nesbitt, who beat Paula Radcliffe to be first woman in last year’s Worcester City 10-kilometre race, picked up the female award and all-rounder O’Brien took the male plaudits.

British great Steve Cram hosted and presented the prizes at the University of Worcester Arena with fellow former athlete and partner Allison Curbishley also on hand to answer questions.

Worcester Athletic Club’s Nesbitt has shone in competition and represented England since suffering an autoimmune disease in 2012 after a promising youth career.

The condition ate away at her body and left a hole the size of a golf ball in her leg but the 20-year-old has fought back bravely to eye the possibility of making the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

O’Brien, who has major learning difficulties, plays basketball for the Special Olympics Great Britain team and football for West Bromwich Academy among a string of sports he has impressed at.

The junior awards went to Mia Bewley for the girls and Matt Richards for the boys.

Tenpin bowling champion Bewley is in the England training academy and aims to represent her country at next year’s European Championships.

Worcester Swimming Club’s Richards, 12, won a 50-metre backstroke gold at the Welsh National Championships and two silvers as well as scooping 18 medals at the Worcester County Championships.

Partially-sighted swimmer Rebecca Redfern, a British record breaker and 2016 Paralympic hopeful, was the disability sports person of the year after winning three golds at the Sainsbury’s School Games alongside wins at the Manchester Disability Nationals and the ASA Nationals.

Worcester Rowing Club were club of the year for a string of achievements, including women’s success at the nationals and Henley Masters Regatta, regional recognition and big fundraising efforts from the juniors.

The Nunnery Wood High School key stage three badminton team were junior team of the year for finishing seventh at the nationals following city, county and regional victories.

Worcester Taekwondo Club head instructor Sally Gleaves, a fourth-degree black belt, was coach of the year for helping to teach self-defence to women, particularly victims of domestic abuse and rape.

Cripplegate Bowlers’ Shirley Purbis won volunteer of the year and Hannah Tipping, 14, claimed the younger version for her work at Worcester Karate Club.

Tudor Grange Academy’s physical education department accepted the most improved school sport accolade after doubling their number of teams since becoming an academy.

Special Olympics regular Ellie Jones picked up the higher education or further education sport award for winning medals in athletics, swimming and gymnastics.

The Howard Peters award for outstanding contribution went to Alec Davies, 91, who has been a member of Worcester St John’s Cycling Club for more than 50 years and acted as a drugs in sport tester for British Cycling.

Black Pear Joggers, who have 400 members, secured an award for contribution to physical activity.

Warriors YMCA Homeless Rugby Team were the community sports award victors after entering their second season on forming a competitive side from the YMCA, sheltered housing and hostels.

The best educational sporting achievement gong went to the University of Worcester Volleyball Club for transforming their fortunes on the court.