Hannah Stodel is savouring a double county honour.

The Paralympic sailor, from West Mersea, scooped the Disabled Sports Personality Award at the Essex Sports Awards, which were held at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The event recognised the best sporting talent in the county with awards including Unsung Hero, Coach of the Year, Community Club of the Year and the Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Stodel said: “Last year I lost out and I was disappointed. So, it’s really nice to come back and be recognised in the county.

“It makes it all worthwhile.”

Stodel, along with John Robertson and Steven Thomas, have already been selected to compete for Great Britain in next year’s Paralympic Games, in the sonar class.

This year the team have won gold at the Miami Olympic Classess Regatta, won the Sail for Gold Regatta at the Olympic venue in Weymouth, and took silver in the World Championships, again at Weymouth.

This year’s Sports Personality Award went to shooter James Huckle, from Old Harlow, with the Community Club of the Year award going to Witham Cricket Club.

Stodel was also selected as a member of Team Essex Ambassadors 2012.

The scheme is aimed at providing grant aid, in the form of a bursary of £6,500, to those with potential to compete at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

All the award recipients will carry out ambassadorial duties around the county to promote physical activity and sport to all and inspire young people.

Stodel said: “I started in Essex and I wouldn’t be who I am today without the people who supported me, the local clubs that I started with, Brightlingsea and then the Dabchicks in West Mersea.

“Without them I wouldn’t be anything, I wouldn’t have done the sport.

“You have to think of where you’ve come from and and it’s nice to give something back.”

Stodel was also joined on the team by fellow West Mersea sailor and Olympian Saskia Clark.

Saskia will also be competing for Great Britain next year, as she has also already been selected for the Team GB’s sailing team in the 470 class, along Hannah Mills.

Clark said: “Its a huge honour.

“We are really lucky in our county to get such support from our county council.

“My friends from other places don’t get anywere near this sort of support.

“It’s a huge deal financially but having some support and knowing people believe in you is great.”

The other members of the team are James Shane (athletics), Dan Bentley (Boccia), Fina Pennie (Canoe Slalom), Alex Dowsett (Cycling), Laura Trott (Cycling), Chrystall Nicholl (fencing), Chloe Rogers (Hockey), Faith Pitman (Judo), Adam Alderman (disability powerlifting), James Huckle (shooting), Roberto Pavoni (swimming) and Emma Hollis (disability swimming).

For reaction from the other winners, see Friday's Daily Gazette.