The 2008 Melton Times Sports Awards night was the biggest in the five-year history of the event with around 200 finalists, guests and sponsors gathering in a marquee in the picturesque grounds of Brooksby Hall.

Sky Sports broadcaster Rob Dorsett added a touch of class to the evening as our compere. Special guest Jonathan Agnew, the BBC's Cricket Correspondent, sadly had to withdraw after an 11th hour BBC request to go to Dubai to cover the ICC meeting discussing Zimbabwe's future in international cricket.

After the buffet, the guests were treated to colourful anecdotes from Rob's broadcasting career before moving on the main feature of the night, the awards presentations.

Nottingham Forest youth player George Thomson was a big winner on the night, picking up the Junior Footballer of the Year and the Junior Sports Personality of the Year awards. His father Kevin had to collect the awards on his behalf after George was called back early by Forest for pres-season training.

Liverpool FC player Paul Anderson, who recently signed for Forest on loan for the season, won the Sports Personality of the Year award after helping Swansea City to the League One title while on loan in Wales. Paul's dad Phil collected the prize after Paul was called away with Forest to Bath for a special fitness assessment.

The biggest cheers of the night came for Melton RFC as they won the junior team of the year and clubman of the year awards.

The club's under 17s team picked up the team award for winning the RFU National Under 17s Bowl, while club stalwart Brian Hesford won the clubman award after decades of hard work behind the scenes.

The evening culminated in a surprise extra award. For only the second time, the Melton Times Special Award for Outstanding Achievement was awarded and went to England cricketer Stuart Broad. The 21-year-old enjoyed an outstanding year which saw him establish his place in the Test side and become labelled as the most exciting cricketing prospect in the country.

Egerton Park chairman Geoff Goodson kindly accepted the award on Broad's behalf and recalled the young cricketer's development at the Melton club from under 11s through to the first team as a 17-year-old.