BOXING trainer Billy Beck agonisingly missed out on the Robinsons Unsung Hero award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

The 45-year-old, from Chatham, had been chosen as the South East’s Unsung Hero earlier this month but at Birmingham’s NEC Arena – Beck was pipped to the national prize by Bicester pensioner Margaret Simons on Sunday.

Beck had already been honoured regionally at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium, where he was recognised for over 28-years service to the Brompton Boxing Club and handed a £2,500 bursary.

Former British No.1 tennis star Tim Henman, who presented the Robinsons’ Unsung Hero award, hailed Beck, saying: “Those types of people are the base of everybody’s pyramid and they are the reason youngsters start off in sport."

Bleary-eyed Beck, who had stayed up overnight on Saturday to watch Ricky Hatton, said: “I would have been in Vegas but for this award – I’m so proud to be here.

“I’m not a huge tennis fan but it was fantastic meeting Tim Henman. I’m just gutted Joe Calzaghe and Ricky weren’t here though.”

The Sports Unsung Hero award, sponsored by Robinsons, recognises and rewards the outstanding contribution made by individuals to grass roots sport.