North Walsham's young sports stars have been recognised at a ceremony at the town's Atrium, as North Walsham High School's annual Sports Presentation evening acknowledged the school's high achievers of 2016.

Lauren Hemp and Luke Everson shared the annual Sports Personality of the Year Award, given to the outstanding sports contributor in the year group which left in the summer.

Meanwhile the prestigious Graeme Wilton Award for Sporting Excellence went to Year 11 student Ethan Davies. Katie Lince received a service to PE Award, with Mariusz Liszynski receiving an Outstanding Endeavour Award.

Three school sports teams were also recognised: the U14 and U16 Rounders teams, which both won their respective North Norfolk Leagues, and the U16 Girls Football team, which was runner-up in the County Cup.

The prizes were handed out by former NWHS student Josh Roper, who has gone on to become a Norfolk FA Ambassador, a participant in the FA's Football Futures programme, and a recipient of an FA 'Outstanding Contribution to Football' award.

Mr Roper told students that there was no reason why they couldn't live their dream in sport, telling them: 'Sport is unique. The impact that it has on people is different from anything else. It is not just being the best sports person. It is about developing so many different skills, such as leadership, communication, and the ability to change lives.

'My biggest advice would be to take any opportunity that comes your way, even if it is just voluntary; you never know just how far picking up cones could take you - for me it was to Chicago!'

The awards recognise the sporting achievements of students at the school over the past 12 months.

School head of PE Paul Bradshaw added: 'Sport remains very strong at the school, and it is important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our students.

'We have seen students competing at the very highest level during the year, including at international level. But these awards are about recognising excellence at every level in both individual and team sports.

'Sport can play such an important role for young people, not just in encouraging physical fitness and healthy living, but also in fostering a sense of teamwork, challenge and achievement which will benefit them way beyond the sports field and into their future lives.'