Local sportspeople, clubs and volunteers celebrated their success at Teignbridge Council's annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards, which saw Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Natalie Melmore crowned Teignbridge Sports Personality of the Year for the second year running.

The popular gala awards ceremony was held on Friday at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren, and for the first time in its history saw someone scoop the top prize for the second time.

Melmore, 22, also picked up the Senior Sportswoman of the Year Award at the event – received by her parents Rob and Jill.

She won the award based on her achievements from April 2010 – March 2011, which included winning the ladies' singles gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Melmore started playing bowls at the age of nine, and by 11 played at Newton Abbot Bowls Club. Her first England trial came at the age of 12, and she played for England for the first time at 15, both indoors and outdoors. She's gone on to win numerous singles and team events for the country.

Unable to attend the event due to competing in Hong Kong, the council's cameras caught up with Melmore before the event on the pretext of her announcing this year's winner as the existing award holder. You can see her reaction online at http://www.teign">www.teign bridge.gov.uk/sportspersonality results, along with an interview conducted by Palm FM DJ Ben Moseby, who was the host for the event.

Said Melmore: 'I can't believe I won the prize again. I genuinely had no idea that was coming. It means a lot because I know everyone nominated are really talented sportspeople, and it's humbling to be given the award for a second time.

'The district has tons of sporting talent and everyone at the awards is a winner in my book, as are loads of people who do great stuff but don't necessarily have people to nominate them for awards like these.

'It's brilliant that the council takes the time and trouble to recognise local sportspeople, and I'm pleased to come from somewhere that puts so much effort in to supporting sports.'

One of the most popular winners on the night was Shachar Head, who was named Junior Sportswoman of the Year, the award coming just a week after the talented powerlifter from Newton Abbot won gold and silver medals at the annual World Drug Free Powerlifting Championships, in Glasgow.

'I was not expecting to win as I was up against two strong candidates in Laura Shears and Tiegan Flay,' said Shachar.

'It has come as a very nice surprise, and is the culmination of a year's hard training with Brad Cutler and, more recently, Chris Morgan.

'I thoroughly enjoyed rubbing shoulders with so many talented sports people, and for Natalie {Melmore} to mention me in her speech was really touching.'

Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge executive spokesman for communities, recreation and leisure said: 'We love recognising the vast range of sports talent this district possesses, and there aren't many award ceremonies which bring together people from such a wide variety of backgrounds, age groups and sporting disciplines.

'Natalie is an amazing young sporting talent who has had simply phenomenal success, and we're proud to recognise her as Teignbridge's Sports Personality of the Year for the second year running.

'It speaks volumes that no other athlete has achieved this before, and although Natalie regularly competes on an international level, this award from home is a reminder of the high regard with which she is held in Teignbridge.

'With a monumental year ahead for sport in this country, the success of our local sportspeople and the volunteers, coaches, clubs and family members who support them makes Teignbridge a real stand out.

'I'd like to thank all those who do their bit for sport in Teignbridge, and to our sponsors – among them Newton Abbot Racecourse, Palm FM and the Mid-Devon Advertiser – who help make these annual awards possible.'