A disabled swimmer won the Havering Sports Council sports competitor of the year award and a Best International Male Swimmer accolade at an international event in a memorable week.

Callum Hanslip, 16, of Astra Close, Hornchurch who attends Dycorts School, Settle Road, Harold Hill was due to pick up his competitor title last week at the sports council's 1999 awards in Upminster Golf Club, Hall Lane, Upminster.

But the honour had to be collected on his behalf by brother Finlay as Callum was competing in the Ukraine International Open Championships for disabled swimmers in Dnipropetrovsk.

There Callum, who only swims with one arm and one leg because he is paralysed on one side, won two gold medals and the best swimmer title while representing Great Britain. He also created a new British record in the disabled 400m freestyle.

Callum's club, Havering Herons, which occasionally trains at Central Park Swimming Pool, was also runner-up sports club at the sports awards. Boxer Alf Adams of Faircross Avenue, Collier Row, and member of Five Star Amateur Boxing Club, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, was runner-up sports personality.

Kelly Andrews of Killerwhales Swimming Club, Central Park Swimming Pool, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, was runner-up junior female sports competitor. In a successful year, Kelly, 12 of Glebe Way, Hornchurch, competed nationally and was ranked eighth best swimmer nationally and number one in Essex. Kelly's dad, Ben, said: "Kelly wants to go all the way to the top."

Organisers felt the decision to take the occasion to upmarket surroundings this year was justified.

Events committee member Wally Morley said: "We are very grateful to Upminster Golf Club for hosting it and for providing a very pleasant and enjoyable evening. Considering it was once a low key event, it was great to see more than 90 people there, including the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Maisie Whitelock."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.