NORTH Lincolnshire's sporting and cultural achievers have been honoured at a special ceremony.

The North Lincolnshire Leisure and Culture Awards was celebrating the accomplishments of people in North Lincolnshire who have made a difference to their community through sports, culture and the arts.

Scunthorpe United manager Nigel Adkins, and local actor Tony Peers hosted the awards, which handed out prizes in 26 categories, including Young Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year, and Community Organisation of the Year.

Among the winners was Ian Johns, 31, who won Coach of the Year for his work at Scunthorpe Judo Club.

The club was devastated by a fire which destroyed the Grange Farm Community Centre in 2003, depriving them of much-needed facilities.

Ian has helped rebuild the club over the last two years, boosting membership from 10 to 60 members, all while striving to win a place in the Great Britain Judo Olympic squad, and acting as a volunteer football and rugby coach across the region.

Ian said: "It was a bit shock to win and when you saw some of the wonderful people who give up so much of their time it's quite humbling.

"I love doing my coaching and judo in particular is such an accessible sport, it's great seeing how the kids respond to it and the boost of confidence they get from being able to do something new and enjoyable.

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