A MOTORCYCLE sidecar racer lifted the top award at a ceremony honouring a town's unsung sports heroes.

Andy Winkle, from Tean, was named Sports Personality of the Year for 2009 at Cheadle Cricket Club at the town's annual sports awards organised by Cheadle and District Sports Council.

The honour recognised Andy's achievements as one half of one of Britain's most successful sidecar teams.

With John Holden, from Clitheroe, he won the British Formula 2 Championship last year. Andy was also runner-up in the Isle of Man TT race.

The Junior Sports Personality award went to 15-year-old Cheadle cricketer Matthew Coxon.