MORE than 200 Bexley youngsters were awarded for their sporting talents at the annual Whitehouse Junior Sports Awards.

The guest at the awards ceremony, held at Erith Sports Centre, was rower Miriam Batten who won a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, who presented the awards.

All the winners either live or study in the borough and have represented Bexley or their sport either at a national level, at the London Heathrow Youth Games, Charlton Challenge, London Mini-Marathon, the inter-borough Swimming Championships or other events.

The Alf Charlton cup for the outstanding contribution to the London Heathrow Youth Games was presented to diver Gary O'Neill.

The most promising athlete went to Thomas Bayliss, the seven-year-old wonder golfer, while a group of youngsters from a number of primary schools, which made up the borough's swimming squad, received the Councillor Chris Ball trophy for the most outstanding contribution to sport by a primary school.

Coaches, parents, team managers, families and council representatives were at the awards the 19th annual event sponsored by the car dealership Whitehouse.

After presenting the awards, Batten signed autographs and showed the youngsters her Olympic medal.