THE town’s sports stars were saluted last night at the first-ever Swindon Advertiser Sports Awards ceremony.

Celebrating a successful year of sport in 2010, the Advertiser handed out 10 awards to Swindon’s top performers as voted by our readers.

Swindon Supermarine Football Club were the stars of the show, picking up awards for Team of the Year and Performance of the Year, while their manager Mark Collier was voted Coach of the Year at the Blunsdon House Hotel ceremony.

Elsewhere there was success for Walcot Boxing Club as their boxer Ryan Martin was crowned Young Sportsman of the Year while long-serving coach Harry Scott received the Lifetime Achievement award.

Highworth-based eventer Paul Tapner topped the vote for Sportsman of the Year for his success at last year’s Badminton Horse Trials. But there was a split decision in the Sportswoman of the Year category as athlete Emma-Kate Lidbury and tae kwon do star Carla Dunne shared the award after they received the same number of votes.

Ice queen Isabella Larkin won the Young Sportswoman of the Year while Swindon Flames Skater Hockey side took the Young Team of the Year gong.

Finally, winning our Grassroots Unsung Hero Award was Charles North from Swindon Sonics Basketball Club for his years of hard work behind the scenes.

The night was crowned a ‘huge success’ by awards founder and Swindon Advertiser sports editor Steve Butt.

“Hosting a sports awards night is something that has been in my mind for several years and I’m delighted that we have finally been able to recognise some of the town’s top sporting talent,” said Butt.

“It has been a sensational year of sport with Swindon Town getting to Wembley, Supermarine’s fantastic run in the FA Cup not to mention the likes of boxer Ryan Martin and figure skater Isabella Larkin who are both shining examples of the many bright young sports stars in the town.

“With so many talented sportsmen and women in the town, these awards are the Swindon Advertiser’s way of recognising their achievements. Selecting a shortlist for each category was incredibly tough.

“And when it came down to the voting, the majority of categories could barely be separated, illustrated none more so by the Sports Woman of the Year award which had to be shared by Emma-Kate Lidbury and Carla Dunne.

“All in all it was a fantastic night and I can’t wait until we celebrate a successful 2011 in the same manner next year.”