COLCHESTER'S top sporting talent has been recognised at a glittering awards ceremony.

The Sport Colchester Sports Personality Awards took place at the Weston Homes Community Stadium tonight.

Olympian Dominic King walked away with the Male Sports Personality prize, while the female equivalent went to top triathlete Melissa Dowell.

Sailor Saskia Clark, who struck gold at this year's Olympics in Rio, was a deserving winner of the Premier Sports Personality of the Year category.

This recognises outstanding achievement during the calendar year by a professional sports person or team.

Other big winners included fencer Myles Ashforth and athletes Philippa Davenall and Sam Shippey.

Essex Blades women’s basketball team were crowned Team of the Year and Kats Netball Club were the Community Club of the Year.

The Bill Tucker Awards recognise individuals who by their commitment, tenacity and dedication in the face of hardship or disadvantage or in difficult circumstances have proved to be an inspiration and role model to their peers and/or the public at large.

The senior winner was Mark Holmes (swimming) and the under-18 recipient William Weir (roller skating).

Colchester Phoenix Swimming Club stalwart Maggie Hargraves went home with the Eric Chapman Award, which recognises outstanding service and commitment by an unpaid volunteer for the development of sport in Colchester.

This category was a particularly difficult one for the judging panel with several outstanding candidates.

It pays tribute to all the unsung heroes who do so much fantastic work over many years in the borough and give their time freely to help athletes in many sports develop their skills and experiences.

Bob Kimber, of Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club, was crowned Coach of the Year.

Colchester’s most prestigious annual sporting awards were first made over 30 years ago.

The awards, sponsored by the Daily Gazette, Colchester Institute and the University of Essex, recognise the tremendous achievements of the town's amateur sportsmen and women and the judging panel consists of representatives of Sport Colchester and the Daily Gazette.

Sport Colchester chairman Mark Lloyd thanked all the sponsors, without whose support this event could not take place.

ROLL OF HONOUR: Male Sports Personality (sponsored by CSH Environmental): Winner: Dominic King (athletics). Commended: Lewis Richardson (boxing).

Female Sports Personality (GS Contracts): Winner: Melissa Dowell (triathlon). Commended: Kitty Burroughs (powerlifting), Joan Hassell (tennis), Anna Muir (cycling) and Millie Stamp (volleyball).

U18 Male Sports Personality (Sportsafe): Winner: Myles Ashforth (fencing). Commended: George Dobson (gymnastics and trampolining) and Joe MacGregor (cricket).

U18 Female Sports Personality (Hur UK): Winner: Philippa Davenall (athletics). Commended: Emily Dowding (open water swimming), Hannah Hodgkinson (trampolining) and Rebecca Jeggo (athletics).

U14 Male Sports Personality (Larking Gowen): Winner: Sam Shippey (athletics). Commended: None.

U14 Female Sports Personality (Livia): Winner: None. Commended: Sydney Strugnell (archery) and Georgia Tombs (athletics and cross-country).

Team of the Year (Colchester Trophies): Winner: Essex Blades women’s basketball team. Commended: Mersea Island Bowling Club men’s fours team.

U18 Team of the Year (University of Essex): Winner: Colchester County High School for Girls intermediate cross-country team. Commended: The Stanway School Year 11 netball team and West Bergholt Youth U16 football team (2015/16 season).

U14 Team of the Year (Mail Boxes Etc): Winner: None. Commended: Boxted Lodgers Youth U13 football team (2015/16 season) and Eight Ash Green U10 Reds football team (2015/16 season).

Bill Tucker (Senior) Award (SAS Property Services): Winner: Mark Holmes (swimming). Commended: None.

Bill Tucker (U18) Award: Winner: William Weir (roller skating). Commended: None.

Community Club of the Year (Colchester Institute ): Winner: Kats Netball Club. Commended: Colchester and Tendring Athletic Club.

The Eric Chapman Award (North Essex Signs): Winner: Maggie Hargraves (Colchester Phoenix Swimming Club). Commended: Alf Banner (Colchester and District Sunday Football League), Steve Cartwright (Colchester and Tendring AC), John Hyland (Colchester and Tendring AC), Andy Partner (Stanway Rovers Football Club), Kim Watson (Kats Netball Club).

Coach of the Year (ABC Training Academy): Winner: Bob Kimber (Colchester and Tendring AC). Commended: None.

Development of PE and sport for young people by a School or College (Branded): Winner: Colchester County High School for Girls. Commended: The Gilberd High School.

Premier Award: Winner: Saskia Clark.