CUMBRIAN Cricket star Ben Stokes has landed the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Stokes, from Cockermouth, set the cricket world alight in a never-to-be-forgotten summer, scoring a magnificent 135 not out to help England win the Third Ashes Test by one wicket, before another unbeaten knock of 84 led his side to the one-day World Cup glory, England seeing off New Zealand in the final, after a Super Over which Stokes also took part in.

After receiving the award from Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal and Scottish football legend Denis Law, Stokes said: “First of all congratulations to all the nominees. You’ve managed to achieve as individuals and what you’ve done for your sports in sensational.

“There’s so many people you have to thanks but I play in a team sport and you get special moments to share with your team-mates, backroom staff and management who have made days like we had in the summer possible.

“I’m up here receiving this award but without the efforts put in by them, this wouldn’t be possible.

“Thank-you so much,” he added.

“Two years ago was a tough time in my life and I has so many people help me through that. [And] my fantastic friend and manager Neil Fairbrother, you are an incredible man.

“My parents who live on the other side of the world - the time you dedicated to me as a kid, getting to training camps, this [award] is for you as well.

“To my amazing wife Clare - family to me is more important to what I do as a living. I come home from a good day or a bad day and they are just there for me.”

Stokes became the first cricketer to win the trophy since Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff in 2005.

Past winners of the award include sporting legends, Sir Mo Farah, Sir Andy Murray, Andrew Flintoff, Dame Kelly Holmes, Jonny Wilkinson, David Beckham, Paula Radcliffe and Bobby Moore.

In third place was Dina Asher-Smith and in second, Lewis Hamilton.

This year’s six Sports Personality contenders were Asher-Smith, Hamilton, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Alun Wyn Jones, Raheem Sterling and Stokes.

Stokes was also on stage with England captain Eoin Morgan and team-mate Jason Roy after England’s one-day side won the award for their World Cup victory. And they also picked up the Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year trophy.