THREE Malvern Hills stars bagged accolades at the 2012 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Awards.

Janet Birkmyre, of Great Witley, followed up her district award with the senior female sports person gong in an Olympic-themed awards ceremony at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium.

Upton-upon-Severn Rugby Club president Ray Gidley received the unsung hero accolade, while the ‘Be active award’ went to Jane Garner from Swim Inspiration, Malvern.

Over the past 12 months, cyclist Birkmyre has been crowned World Masters track champion for the fifth time as well as winning her third European and national titles. Gidley was a driving force in the establishment of the Upton club in 1981 and has dedicated plenty of time to their development despite battling a brain tumour that struck in April 2011.

Hanley Swan-based Garner produced a 10-week physical activity and health programme involving swimming for Malvern Hills people.

She was inspired by her work with patients who were overweight or had limited mobility while a practice nurse at Whiteacres Medical Centre.

More than 230 guests gathered for the county awards which were organised by The Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire with BBC Hereford and Worcester.

The evening included a question-and-answer session with Paralympian stars Mel Clarke, Sascha and Nyree Kindred, Katrina Hart, Claire Cashmore and Josie Pearson.

The ceremony was compered by Howard Bentham, of BBC Hereford and Worcester, with a keynote speech from Pearson, of Hay-on- Wye, who was voted sports personality of the year.

Guests on the night raised £610 for the Joanna Brown Trust by purchasing raffle tickets for prizes generously donated by members of the local business community.

The trust’s Talented Athlete Support Grant provides promising youngsters living in Worcestershire with up to £500 to pay for training, travel, equipment and competition costs.