PAIGNTON gymnast Jay Thompson was crowned Torbay Sports Personality of the Year 2011 at the event's annual awards ceremony at the Riviera International Centre last Friday.

Thompson, 15, was first and last on stage at the awards night as he also won the Junior Sports Personality award which was announced first.

This year, Thompson won two golds and two silver medals while representing England at the Commonwealth Youth Games held on the Isle of Man.

Among his medal haul was a gold on the parallel bars and in the team competition, plus silvers in the all-around category and on pommel horse.

Thompson also competed a year out of his age group at the British Gymnastic Championships this year, winning another four medals including gold on the parallel bars and silver on the high bar.

Also among the winners at the ceremony was Commonwealth Games gold medallist Natalie Melmore in the Senior Sports Personality category. In a tough section, both winner Melmore and runner-up Elliot Barton were unable to attend as they were representing their country.

Football coach James Lyon won the Disabled Sports Personality award, while Torbay Tigers U14s and TYGA Martial Arts won the junior and senior team categories respectively.

After an interval and a talk from Marldon-based ski mountaineer Suzy Madge, the proceedings resumed with the coach of the year award going to basketball coach Troy Culley.

Culley got the vote having led the Torbay Tigers U14s to victory in the South West Championships.

Laura Tucker was named Young Volunteer of the Year for her coaching in rowing and swimming. The Outstanding Contribution award went to Sheila Thomas, who was described as the 'saviour of Cary Park Junior Tennis Club'.

Torbay Olympic Gymnastics Club were winners of the Torbay Club of the Year, while there was a special recognition award for the Torbay Sports Partnership, which was closed by government cuts.

A stunned but smiling Thompson was up on stage last to collect the overall prize and complete a memorable night.

RESULTS: Junior Sports Personality: Jay Thompson (gymnastics), Natasha Bradley (BMX), Jessica Sanders-Wyatt (swimming); Disabled Sports Personality: James Lyon (football), Michelle Treadaway (gymnastics); Senior Sports Personality: Natalie Melmore (bowls), Elliot Barton (rowing), Shaun Pedley (rowing); Junior team: YMCA Torbay Tigers U14s (basketball), 21 Down Table Tennis team, Stoodley Knowle Girls Cricket team; Senior team: TYGA Martial Arts, Torbay Tigers Senior Basketball team; Coach of the year: Troy Culley (basketball), Tracy Brown (tennis), George Breyley (table tennis); Young Volunteer: Laura Tucker (rowing), Lauren Perkins and Tallulah Bird (gymnastics), Katie and Heidi Tranter (basketball); Outstanding contribution: Sheila Thomas (tennis), Amelia Hall (running), Chris and Pam Mackey (basketball); Torbay Club of the Year: Torbay Olympic Gymnastics Club, Torbay Tigers Basketball Club, TYGA Martial Arts; Special Recognition: Torbay Sports Partnership; Europlas Torbay Sports Personality of the Year: Jay Thompson.