THE great and the good of local sport were honoured at this year's Bolton Active Sports Awards evening, attended by nearly 700 people at the Macron Stadium's Premier Suite.

The event, the highlight of the council's Sport and Active Living Service (Sport in Bolton) calendar, saw a host of coaches, volunteers, club members and sports stars young and old receive prizes to mark the service they give to grass-roots sport in the area.

Typifying the spirit of the awards is Ann Hardman, who collected the Get Active Special Recognition Award. Ann first took up the NHS fun triathlons in 2012 as a way to combat her asthma, eventually forming a team with work colleagues. Last year the school nurse took on the whole triathlon, displaying great motivation, dedication and inspiration.

She has now retired and, though this makes her ineligible to enter future triathlons, she will continue as a volunteer.

However, the biggest surprise of Friday night's event was saved for a Wanderers legend who thought he was attending in order to give out prizes but ended up taking home the prestigious Special Achievement Award.

Kevin Davies has made a remarkable contribution to sport in Bolton, committing himself to countless projects as well as displaying great leadership for the benefit of others. He thought he was merely giving up his time, completely unaware that the organisers had, with the help of his wife Emma, kept his award secret from him.

Event organiser Wahid Khan, from the Sport and Active Living Service, said: "It was a fantastic event, celebrating the biggest sporting achievements in Bolton.

"It was an honour to be around so many amazing people and, whether they win an award or not, just to be nominated shows they are highly regarded by their peers.

"I can honestly say Bolton is a great place for sport and without these people, it wouldn’t be what it is. The night was to say thank you to all those clubs, coaches and volunteers who make Bolton a great place and we’re incredibly proud."