LAUREN Williams is the Montgomeryshire Sports Personality of 2018.

The Trefeglwys 400m hurdles star was unable to attend last Thursday’s awards night at Newtown’s Theatr Hafren due to competition but afterwards spoke of her pride of joining the pantheon of former winners of the prized award.

“I was humbled to be nominated in the first instance but it is a true honour to have been awarded sports personality of the year,” said Williams.

“It means a great deal to me to have been recognised for my sporting endeavours over the past year.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped me to get where I am with my athletics, from mum and dad who have ferried me all over the place for races, to the coaches at Maldwyn Harriers who volunteer their time week in week out to help us achieve our goals in the sport.

“I’m chuffed to bits to be the Montgomeryshire Sports Personality of the Year and it’s great to see Mid Wales sporting talent continue to strengthen.”

Meanwhile the next generation of sporting stars were also honoured by their peers at the annual celebration of Montgomeryshire sporting excellence which was organised by a band of volunteers this year following Powys County Council’s decision to withdraw financial support.

Welsh international footballer Maria Francis Jones of Llanidloes won the under 18s girls sports personality of the year with Newtown golf star Connor Owen going home with the under 18s boys accolade.

Welshpool’s recently crowned Welsh 3,000m under15s junior girls champion Maddie Griffiths celebrated the under 14s junior sports personality prize while Welshpool High School’s British Schools judo champion Rhys Handel won the under 12s award.

Table tennis star Grace Williams of Llanfyllin was also recognised for her outstanding year which included a national competition gold with the Disability Sportsperson of the Year accolade.

Maldwyn Harriers Athletics Club’s Hefin Rowlands was a popular choice for Coach of the Year in recognition of his role in developing a conveyor belt of talent from the club’s Newtown base.

Berriew Football Club’s Kelly Midmore was named Volunteer of the Year with Newtown’s Rhodri Morgan recognised for his commitment to sport with the Young Sports Leader of the Year accolade.

Newtown Rugby Club celebrated becoming the Club of the Year with Forden United Football Club honoured for a promotion winning season with the Senior Team of the Year Award and Maldwyn Harriers Athletics Club named Junior Team of the Year.

Penny Thomas of Newtown based dance group Footloose was recognised with the Services to Sport award with Newtown’s Park Run the 2018 Outstanding Achievement award winner.