SPRINT star Charlie Dobson had cause for a double celebration at the Sport Colchester Sports Personality Awards.

The 19-year-old, recently named on the British Athletics Futures Programme, was crowned Male Sports Personality of the Year before landing the prestigious Premier Award.

Rebecca Jeggo was named Female Sports Personality while other winners on the night included figure skating siblings Edward and Elliot Appleby, swimmers Charlotte Norman and Sophie Freeman and respected athletics coach Steve Garnham.

Former St Benedict's Catholic College student Dobson described his twin triumph as the "perfect" way to cap a glorious 2018, having been an under-20 silver medallist for Great Britain at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships, in Finland.

"It was a very special night and the perfect way to round off my year," said the 200 metres runner, who is coached by Garnham at Colchester Harriers.

"I knew I'd been fortunate enough to win the Male Sports Personality but had no idea about the Premier Award.

"It was a complete surprise and very special, given the calibre of people who have won it before, including Olympians like Sarah Claxton.

"It's been a great year for me.

"I've trained as hard as I can and performed to the best of my ability.

"I'm proud of the things I've achieved, including winning these awards, but it still feels slightly surreal.

"To have my achievements recognised feels fantastic.

"It makes all the hard work worthwhile and I'm very grateful."

Dobson has just started at Loughborough University, having got the grades needed to study Aeronautical Engineering.

The Sport Colchester Sports Personality Awards took place at the JobServe Community Stadium on Monday.

They rewarded the borough’s biggest achievers of the year and other winners on the night were Colchester Phoenix Swimming Club, the ladies from Colchester Indoor Bowls Club and Harriers stalwart David Wright.

Colchester County High School for Girls enjoyed success on two fronts, with their badminton aces named Under-14 Team of the Year and their senior swimmers scooping the Under-18 equivalent.

In the Development of PE and Sport for Young People by a School category, the joint-winners were Colchester County High School for Girls and Dedham Church of England Primary School.

"It was an unbelievable night," said John Powell, chairman of organisers Sport Colchester.

"The talent is incredible and I was so impressed with the diversity, with 16 different sports represented on the night."

Colchester’s most prestigious annual sporting awards were first made over 30 years ago and are now recognised as one of the best of their kind in Essex.

They recognise the achievements of the borough’s amateur sportsmen and women and target individuals who do not have participation in the sport as their primary income source.

The awards are sponsored by the Daily Gazette, meetings, accommodation, events and travel management experts Inntel and the Duley Practice, the local partner practice of St James Place Wealth Management.