Sports as diverse as Thai boxing, canoe slalom and archery rubbed shoulders with the traditional favourites of football, rugby and cricket in a night of sporting celebration at Melton Cattle Market.

Finalists from 11 awards categories gathered to discover who would walk away as winners after another amazing year in which the bar has been raised once again.

This year we were delighted to be joined by several special guests. Television sport broadcaster Ivan Gaskell once again added a smooth and professional dimension to the evening as our MC, anchoring the awards and interviewing each of our winners.

We were also very lucky to welcome BBC Cricket Correspondent and Egerton Park CC president Jonathan Agnew along for his first taste of our awards night, as well as former Surrey and Nottinghamshire batsman Darren Bicknell, who is currently heading up the Belvoir Castle Cricket Trust.

As an extra twist, Ivan invited the pair on stage to ask their thoughts on the Ashes series, and most importantly, to ask can England win them back.

Our first award saw outstanding young rowing talent Callum Jones walk away with the Junior Sportsman of the Year prize from sporting all-rounder Connor Boylan and international canoe slalomist Matt Holliday.

Multiple Thai boxing world champion Iman Barlow was named Junior Sportswoman, edging out county netballer Tiffany Allen and ladies' soccer star Chelsey Watts.

Hot cricket prospect James Taylor added the Melton Times Sportsman of the Year to the Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year award for his accomplishments with Leicestershire and England Under 19s.

London Marathon top 100 runner Chris Southam and Leicester Tiger wing Will Hurrell were our runners-up.

2012 Olympic shooting prospect Hannah Polak was crowned Sportswoman of the Year from showjumper Emilie Chandler and Melton Golf Club junior captain Catherine Smith.

John Lincoln was thrilled to receive his Clubman of the Year award from the voice of Test Match Special Jonathan Agnew for his work at developing youth cricket at Old Dalby Cricket Club.

Dedicated Hamilton Tennis Club coach Brent Horobin and hard-working Syston Town Cricket Club treasurer Roger Pole were our other finalists.

Matt Curtis was Coach of the Year for guiding Melton Mowbray Building Society FC into the Leics Senior League, edging out Muay Assassin Thai Boxing Club instructor Mark Barlow and Asfordby Amateurs manager Ian Wakefield.

League and cup double winners Asfordby Amateurs Girls FC Under 11s were our Junior Team of the Year, with King Edward VII School's Year 11 netball team and Melton RFC Under 9s our finalists.

In a strong field, Melton Hockey Club First XI were Team of the Year for their promotion to Midlands Premier for the first time, with Melton Squash Club and Melton Mowbray BS just missing out on the top prize this time.

Prolific striker Scott Mooney was our Footballer of the Year from goalkeepers Robert Peet, an exciting young prospect with Grimsby Town, and Melton Building Society FC stopper Richard Pollard.

We surprised our guest Colin Clews with an added award - the Melton Times Special Award for Outstanding Achievement.

This well deserved recognition came for his work in developing the CiCLE Classic into the top international event it is today bringing a phenomenal boost to the area in tourism and profile.

The evening culminated in our two sports personality awards as decided by our readers' votes.

Young British archer Lauren McPherson, who won a medal in Sydney at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival this year, just pipped potential county cricketer Tom Burton and county swimming champion Nick Harrison to the Junior Sports Personality award.

England Under 20s rugby international Will Hurrell picked up the final award and became our Sports Personality of the Year in another close vote from England cricket star Stuart Broad and motor-racing contender Craig Dolby.