RIDGEWOOD Community High School has been named school of the year at the Lancashire Sport Awards.

However, the coveted award was more for the hard work the Burnley school has done over the last five years to give youngsters with special needs the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports.

Ridgewood is more than just a school it is a part of the community with many clubs also based at Eastern Avenue.

“We are delighted to have received this award and it is lovely to get some recognition for the hard work we have all put in,” said Julie Naylor, school sports coordinator.

“We know how special awards like there are and we are very grateful. But I think this is recognition for what we have done over the last five years.”

In the time Julie has been at the school, Ridgewood has moved from provided traditional sports such as football and rugby to a wide and diverse range of activities from boccia, curling and hydro therapy in the pool and rebound therapy on the trampoline.

The club also has cycling, skiing and tramp-olining clubs and has worked closely with Burnley Council to obtain funding.

“We have had to overcome many barriers, such as having to buy special adapted mini buses as well as needed more staff,” added Julie.

“So we could not have done it without the help of the council and school sports development officer Darren Wright in parti-cular.”

It turned out to be a good night for Burnley as Brian Crossley of Burnley Aqua-lions was named adult volunteer of the year.

“I was delighted and gobsmacked,” said Brian who set up the club in 1991.

“You don’t do these things to win awards but it was really nice to win. I didn’t expect it one bit.”

Brian has provided swimmers, both young and old, of varying disabilities the chance to learn to swim for the past three decades.

“We’re not about finding British champions or Paralympians.

It is all about having a bit of fun and giving people the chance to gain a bit of self esteem.”

While Ridgewood and Brian were the only East Lancashire winners on the night, there were still plenty of reasons to celebrate with many clubs and individuals winning highly commended awards for their efforts over the last 12 months.

The event, held at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool, brought together borough winners from across the county. Nik Tucker was awarded in the coach of the year category for the tireless work he has done at Sandygate Boxing Club were he has produced national and regional champions.

Accrington Girls and Ladies FC was highly commended in the comm-unity club of the year category. The club is working towards Charter Standard Club Develop-ment Award status and next year is looking to start a young club amba-ssador scheme.

There were also highly commended awards for Elizabeth Stansfield from Pendle, Kristofer Berlin-darson and Alf Love, both from Rossendale.

Elizabeth has been a young volunteer for more than three years helping disabled youngsters play table tennis while she also helps coach gymnastics She has also been chosen by Coca Cola to be a Future Flame Ambass-ador to raise the profile of volunteers.

Kristofer, runner-up in the Rising Star category, is an all-rounder and is one of the best young skiers in the country – where he is a member of the Chill Factore Race Club – while he also excelled in diving and trampolining.

And Alf Love was awarded in the lifetime achievement category for his years of service to kick boxing.