Success on the national and global stages saw Hannah Ueckermann named as the Sports Personality of the Year at the first-ever Active Braintree District Sports Awards.

The 51-year-old Witham Dolphins swimmer came back from a shoulder injury last year to claim double gold at the 2014 British Masters Championships.

She then went on to take a silver medal in the 50 to 54 age category women’s 200 metre breaststroke at the FINA World Masters Championships in Montréal last month and was delighted to pick up the accolade on the local stage.

Ueckermann, who had to miss the Witham Dolphins club championships to pick up her award, said: “It has been a great year but I was amazed to get short-listed as the club commitee nominated me and I was only told about two weeks ago.

“So I couldn’t quite believe it when my name was called out as the winner. It means a lot to be recognised locally.”

See this week's paper for the full version of this story, more reaction from winners and a full list of those picking up awards.