TONY Wightman was beaming with pride after collecting Warrington Sports Personality Club of 2001 award on behalf of Warrington Borough Bowls Club.

The club received one of the loudest cheers of the night when they were announced as winners of the prestigious award and the club's general manager admitted that he had a lump in his throat as he walked on to the stage to pick up a host of glittering prizes.

Tony said: "Winning the award and receiving such a great response from the audience was a dream come true.

"I am already proud of the club's achievement in 2001. We have had an exceptional year and for that to be recognised by Warrington Guardian and Warrington Borough Council is a huge honour".

The clubs' main achievements in 2001 were setting up and running a family crown green bowls league and the town's first junior bowls league.

The club also managed the Reflecta Youth teams that were highly successful in the open age Warrington Public Parks' Bowls League.

This year the bowls club are hoping to develop their junior league, start a team for the over 60s and open the sport up to people with special needs and disabilities.

Tony said: "Our aim is to encourage all aspects of the community to take up bowls. We brought a lot of new families into the game last year and we hope to bring in a lot more in 2002.

"We are also looking for our junior, youth and open age teams to perform better at a national level."