Badminton ace Lauren Smith has crowned a brilliant 12 months by being named the Carlisle Sports Personality of the Year.

The 25-year-old from Longtown made her Olympic debut in Brazil in August in the women’s doubles with partner Heather Olver.

The year-long qualifying period for Rio was the most difficult yet most rewarding of her career, involving travel to five continents.

She competed in a total of 30 qualifying tournaments as well as cementing her place as British number one by successfully defending her national title for the fourth year running.

She also had great success on the international circuit, winning the US Open in Florida and the French Open in Orleans.

These, and other successes, catapulted Lauren to a career-best world ranking of 20.

Set to play this season for Team Derby, joining forces with fellow Team GB Olympians Rajiv Ouseph and Marcus Ellis, Lauren received her trophy from Cumbrian Newspapers Sports Editor Phil Rostron at a glittering ceremony at Carlisle's Shepherds Inn.

The Junior Sports Personality award went to athletics and rugby starlet Joe Connelly.

Rising Star awards were earned by cricket's Ben Davidson, Matthew James (hammer) and Beau Studholme (athletics and football), while the Junior Team award went to the Carlisle Dance Academy.

Carlisle Trampoline Club were the Team of the Year with a Disability Performance of the Year trophy going to Carlisle Wheelchair Sports Club's Ray McBride.

Coach of the Year was John Birkett (athletics), while cricket's Geoffrey Osborne won the Volunteer of the Year award.

Young Leader of the Year was Amber Surtees (trampolining).

Service To Sport awards were picked up by Graeme Mark (rowing), Brian Laidlow (cricket) and David Altham (angling) and a Special Award went to cricket's Mike Rayson.

Carlisle Panthers Wheelchair Basketball team were winners of Performance of the Year.