KENT'S British Superbike champion Shane Byrne has been named BBC South East Sports Personality of The Year.

Byrne, from Minster, Sheppey, collected the prize at the BBC South East Sports Awards ceremony held at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone.

The award was voted for by the people across the South East. Among others shortlisted were Canterbury’s Great Britain hockey player Mel Clewlow and athlete Kelly Holmes.

Byrne said: “I am delighted that the people of Kent and East Sussex have chosen me. I really appreciate the support of all those who voted for me. It’s the fans who make the game really worthwhile.”

Three Kent cricketers were among those also honoured. The Tudor Park Hotel Award for Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year went to Kent wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, who equalled the record for the most dismissals in one season in the National Cricket League, claiming 34.

He was also called up for the England squad for the first time for their winter tour.

The Shepherd Neame Cricketer of the Year was batsman Ed Smith, who made his England debut against South Africa in the summer.

The BT Award for Special Achievement went to former Kent and England batsman Brian Luckhurst, who had also served the club for 50 years in a variety of roles, including team manager.

The BBC Unsung Sports Hero was Bob Turrell, from Folkestone, who now goes forward to the national finals which will be announced during the BBC Sports Review of the Year Programme on Sunday.

Female Sports Personality of the Year was world bowls champion Carol Ashby, from Eastbourne.

The Mid-Kent Water Award for Disabled Sportswoman of the Year went to 70-year-old Ruth Small, of Sevenoaks, who plays blind bowls for Sevenoaks Bowls Club, and won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, taking the singles title.

The SeaFrance Award for Footballer of the Year went to goalkeeper Jason Brown who, since joining Gillingham, has played more than 50 first-team games and has been capped by Wales at under-21 level, and was also named Welsh FA Young Player of the Year.

The Communicore Group Award for Team of the Year went to Brighton Bears Basketball Club, who won the National Cup in January.