A mother crashed her car into a fence at Oasby Mill after driving nearly three times over the alcohol limit.

Carrie Mellor-Pick, aged 46, of Spire View, Sleaford pleaded guilty to driving with 232 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

At 1.53pm on May 21 police were informed of a collision involving one car, and on arrival saw a Ford which had left the carriageway and smashed through a fence before ending up in a field.

Prosecutor Shelley Wilson detailed that the car was ‘within an inch of a garden building, and had wooden poles embedded in the vehicle and windscreen.’

The driver, Mellor-Pick, was lying on her back with people around her, and the officers checked that she was OK ahead of the ambulance’s arrival.

At this point they noticed the smell of alcohol, and a breathlyser test proved positive.

As Mellor-Pick did need some medical treatment she was taken to hospital, where a blood test gave the reading included in the charge.

Prior to this offence Mellor-Pick had no previous convictions and a clean licence.

In a report from the probation service, the court heard that on the previous night the defendant had drunk two glasses of wine with dinner and then another two at around midnight.

On the day of the accident she was driving to her ex-husband’s house to let the dog out, and stopped at a pub on the way where she had another glass.

Mellor-Pick had been dealing with a number of problems at the time, including an ongoing health condition which had signed her off from work, and admitted that she had been drinking up to six glasses of wine a day.

However since the offence she had taken the decision to attend meetings with the Drugs and Alcohol Recovery Team (DART), and had reduced her wine intake to no more than two glasses a day, while having no issues at all with drugs.

In her defence, Chris Pye-Smith pointed out that Mellor-Pick was not claiming any benefits and consequently was living off her savings.

He added that his client had also gone through the breakdown of two marriages.

Mellor-Pick was disqualified from driving for 24 months, with the opportunity to reduce this by six months by completing a drink driver rehabilitation course.

She must also pay a fine of £185, prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.

Planning applications before South Kesteven District Council include:

Castle Bytham

S14/2922/FULL - WB and E Chorlton - Erection of silage clamp and creation of dirty water lagoon, Park House Farm.

S14/3016/TCA - Michael Goodjohn - Felling of one twisted willow and one leylandii and works to one horse chestnut tree, Beaujolais, Water Lane.

Colsterworth

S14/3021/TPO - Mr and Mrs Harris - Reduction in height of willow by 1.5m (T1); crown reduction and reshape acer by 1/5m (T2); reshape crown of beech (T3) and reduce rubinia by 1m (T4), 2 Walnut Grove.

Foston

S14/3019/TPO - Mr Wylie - Crown lift to 5 metre, clear BT cable and thin crown by 20 per cent of beech (T1), The Old Hall, Main Street.

Grantham

S14/2307/HSH - Susan Grant - Partial demolition of wall, erection of replacement wall and single storey rear extension, 13 Dudley Road.

S14/3061/TPO - Duncan McBoyle - Fell one ash tree, Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, Sandon Road.

Hough on the Hill

S14/2961/HSH - Mr and Mrs P. Rann - Erection of single storey extension to form an enclosed quadrangle courtyard, Manor Grange, Gelston.

Long Bennington

S14/3027/ADV - Harlaxton Estates - Installation of free-standing entrance/tenant sign at business park, entrance to Long Bennington Business Park, Main Road.

South Witham

S14/3015/TCA - Mr Life - Reduction and shaping of one pear tree, 1 Church Lane,

Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir

S14/2928/FULL - Mr N. Allan - Erection of 25 metre mast, base station, antenna and dishes, land off Woolsthorpe Lane, adjacent Young Oaks Woodland, Belvoir Estate.

To view the forms and plans of any planning application, click on the following link www.southkesteven.gov.uk/planningsearch/

A father has pleaded guilty to committing assault by beating and criminal damage after reading text messages between his ex and her new boyfriend.

The court heard how Jody Henderson, aged 39, of Stamford Street beat his former partner of 14 years and destroyed her phone by throwing it against a wall on October 12.

The couple, who have a daughter, ended their relationship in July, although Henderson didn’t want to break up and initially they carried on living in the same house.

However, after discovering that she was seeing someone else during a family holiday, Henderson became very upset and when they returned she moved back to her parents’ house with their daughter.

On October 12 while their daughter was away at respite care, Henderson agreed that his former partner could stay at his house to have some time to herself.

Both of them went out separately on the evening in question, with Henderson returning about 15 minutes after his ex-girlfriend at 1.45am.

She fell asleep in a spare room, at which point Henderson looked at her mobile phone and read the text messages she had exchanged with her new boyfriend.

Consequently Henderson became ‘upset and jealous’ explained Rory Macmillan, defending, and woke up his former partner.

While she tried to get him off the bed, Henderson sat across her and held her down, before getting up and thowing her phone against the wall and smashing it.

His ex tried to fight back, but Henderson pushed her to the floor and punched her to the head several times.

Mr Macmillan said that his client then ‘came to his senses’ and went off to his own room to calm down.

He heard the victim go downstairs and call the police, and waited for them to arrive.

The magistrates were informed both by the defence and in a statement from the victim that Henderson had never shown physical violence before this incident, which was out of character.

The statement described him as ‘a good man and a wonderful father’.

Henderson was fined £500 with a further £150 awarded in compensation for the phone.

Magistrates also ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £50.

FA Trophy

First round qualifying

Loughborough Dynamo 3

Grantham Town 1

Grantham Town’s involvement in the FA Trophy competition was short lived as they were defeated by lower league opposition.

NPL Division One South side Loughborough led at half time and consolidated their advantage withh two more second-half goals. The Gingerbreads’ last gasp consolation goal was literally just that.

But it was Grantham who had the first attempt on goal but Ben Fairclough sent his effort straight to Dynamo goalkeeper Jack Howard.

Loughborough skipper and former Gingerbread Rob Norris’s 15th minute free kick was saved by Town keeper Dan Haystead, and the Dynamo number 10 fired another shot over the bar not long afterwards.

Dynamo’s dominance paid off in the 20th minute when Norris finally got the ball in the back of the net, stabbing home past Haystead.

The home side had further chances through new signing Darryl Thomas, Kieron Davies and Sam Wood, the latter being denied by a spectacular save from Haystead.

Grantham’s remaining first half opportunities saw a free kick saved by Howard and George Zuerner shot wide of the target.

The Gingerbreads found themselves 2-0 down six minutes after the break when Davies’ cross into the box was put away deftly by Thomas.

Town had chances through Jordan Hempenstall and Fairclough, who headed over, but both to no avail.

The game was put beyond Grantham’s reach in the 72nd minute when Ash Way raced raced down the left flank and made no mistake with his shot.

The Gingerbreads managed to pull back a consolation goal added time, with Hempenstall chesting the ball down and firing home.

Grantham Town: Haystead, Purcicoe, Kelly, Batchelor, Hellewell, Meadows, Johnson (Foster, 80), Wallace (Grimes, 52), Hempenstall, Fairclough, Zuerner. Subs not used: Divver, Heap, Martin.

Att: 149

Traffic heading into town is being diverted along Castlegate following a collision between three cars and a lorry outside the King’s School in Grantham this morning.

Police say the vehicles appear to have been involved in a shunt at the traffic lights on Brook Street next to the school. The accident was reported at 9.45am.

Police say there are no injuries. The vehicles involved are a white Mercedes van, and Hyundai, Peugeot and Audi cars.

Grantham Town Supporters’ Club lotto (sponsored by Galaxy Fish Bar), winners of November 1 draw:

£200 – 341 R. De’Ath; £10 – 796 S. Marriott; £5 – 604 A. Barnes, 1086 T. Charles, 224 L. Manterfield, 758 M. Gilbert, 191 D. Kelley, 489 J. Gilbert.

The court heard how police intervened when a drunk 37-year-old started throwing punches at bouncers outside a Grantham club.

Alexander Broome, of Park Road, Grantham pleaded guilty to one charge of being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Prosecutor Shelley Wilson outlined how at about 1.55am on October 12, police were on duty in the Market Place.

The officers saw the door staff of the Late Lounge ejecting Broome who was then seen throwing punches at the door staff.

Police assisted with restraining Broome on the ground, who continued to be aggressive and had to be put into leg restraints.

Representing himself in court, Broome said he could not remember much of the incident.

He added that he suffered from anxiety.

Magistrates gave Broome a conditional discharge lasting 12 months, and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £15 as well as £40 towards prosecution costs.

A 22-year-old admitted to stealing a £650 mountain bike from Grantham railway station after drinking at the Mid-Lent fair.

Christopher Tucker of Beck Gardens, Grantham appeared at court and pleaded guilty to one charge of theft.

Prosecutor Marie Stace detailed how at 3.45pm on April 8 the victim who was travelling to London secured his bike at Grantham station with both a combination lock and a key lock.

However Tucker was then seen arriving with a group on CCTV, which captured him going over to the bike and pulling at it until it broke free.

Tucker left the station with the stolen bike, with the rest of the group following shortly afterwards.

Miss Stace explained that Tucker was subsequently identified and interviewed by police, during which he said that he had been drinking alcohol at the Mid-Lent fair prior to the offence, which he fully admitted.

Rob Arthur, defending, said that this was an unsophisticated theft with the railway covered by CCTV and Tucker making no attempt to hide himself.

When police recognised and contacted Tucker saying they needed to speak to him, he went into the station voluntarily.

Here he made a ‘full and frank admission’ and explained that he doesn’t drink regularly but had been out with a group of friends to the fair.

Mr Arthur added: “He puts the offence down to making a stupid decision under the influence of alcohol.”

Discussing his client’s background Mr Arthur outlined how Tucker had been expelled from school at the age of 12 and suffers from a severe form of ADHD which prevents him from working.

While he receives disability living allowance he was prone to spending this on cannabis.

Magistrates sentenced Tucker to a community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement lasting six months,

In addition he must pay £650 in compensation, and a £60 victim surcharge.

The court heard how a Grantham man threw bricks through a window following an argument on a night out.

Craig Price, aged 28, of Avenue Road, Grantham entered guilty pleas to two charges of criminal damage and one of resisting a constable in the execution of their duty.

Prosecutor Shelley Wilson, explained that on the evening of October 11 one of the complainants had gone out to celebrate a birthday in Grantham, while her 14-year-old sister and a friend stayed at home.

In the early hours while in a club the complainant met up with the defendant who was a friend, and he bought her a drink.

However when they met up again in another club there was an argument between them, during which a threat was made by Price that he would smash her windows.

Shortly before 4am the complainant had a phone call from her sister who said that a window had been smashed at the house, and she took a taxi home.

On arriving back she saw the hole in the window and two halves of a brick on the floor of the lounge.

Mrs Wilson added that the sister and friend had been sleeping in the lounge when the pieces of brick had come through the window, with one landing on the sister’s tablet and smashing the screen.

The police were called and officers found Price wandering the street nearby, but when they came over to him he said: “You’re not arresting me.”

When they attempted to arrest him, Price pulled away and prevented his hands from being handcuffed.

During the scuffle an officer rugby tackled Price to the ground, and it took four of them to restrain him before he was taken to the police station.

Chris Pye-Smith, defending, said that Price had found the bricks on the ground which he threw at the window, rather than going to the property with them intentionally.

He added that his client had not seen the smashed tablet himself, but had nevertheless accepted this charge of causing criminal damage along with that relating to the window.

In relation to obstructing arrest Price admitted that he had straightened his arms to prevent the officers from putting on the handcuffs.

For this offence Price was ordered to pay a fine of £55, along with a fine of £55 for the criminal damage and a total of £280 in compensation.

This was added to a £20 victim surcharge and a £40 contribution to prosecution costs.

Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Club (Grantham branch):

Forest are at home to Norwich City on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Bookings are being taken for away games at Wolves on November 22, kick-off 3pm, and Birmingham City on November 29, kick-off 3pm.

For details contact Bob Taylor on 01476 550242.

A 53-year-old Grantham woman has received a community order and been placed under curfew for breaching her ASBO and conditional discharge by being drunk and disorderly.

Jennifer Hill of Uplands Drive breached the ASBO given to her in 2010 by arguing, shouting and swearing while drinking alcohol at Shaw Road in Grantham on July 20 last year.

This also put her in breach of a conditional discharge imposed on July 8 for threatening behaviour, explained prosecutor Marie Stace.

Although Hill had initially denied the anti-social behaviour, she changed her plea to guilty before the trial.

In Hill’s defence, Sonia Bhalla asked the magistrates to give her client credit for this, and added: “Who you have in front of you is a completely different person to the woman who you would have encountered back then.”

Magistrates said they were pleased with the progress Hill was making and sentenced her to a community order lasting three months which comprises a curfew to remain at home from 9pm to 7am each day.

No prosecution costs were awarded although Hill must pay a victim surcharge of £60.

Grantham Tennis Club men’s second string went into last Saturday’s match knowing the winner would lift the Notts County Division Three title trophy and gain promotion.

They travelled to Nottingham to take on a strong Woodthorpe with their own team featuring a blend of youth and experience. Paul White played with son Tom White, Andrew Isaac with James Drennan and Murray Shaw partnered Michael Cragg.

The first round was shared three points apiece with the Grantham team getting used to the away courts. In the second round, a good win from the Whites and an excellent draw against the first couple from Cragg and Shaw saw Grantham go into win the round 4½-1½, to take a 7½-3½ lead into the last round. That was also won 4½-1½ for a 12-6 match win and promotion to the Notts County Division Two.

Cragg and Shaw playing the third couple but finished with the best win/loss record on the day.

l The club men’s first team travelled to Nottingham last Sunday to play their first Winter League match, having been promoted to Division Two.

A moderate Magdala team were dispatched easily, 88 games to 20, by a strong Grantham team of Richard Cragg, Darren Taxis, Paul White, Andrew Isaac, Richard Smart and James Drennan.

Captain Paul White said: “Stiffer tests will come but for now we are just happy to get a win in our first match in the league. A strong performance by first couple Darren Taxis and Richard Cragg and some strong hitting from Andrew Isaac were the highlights.”

l Grantham ladies’ veteran first team took on Grimsby 2nd at home last Saturday.

The strong team came away with an extremely comfortable 7-1 set win with Melanie Bloodworth and Pam Aust winning both of their matches, and Liz Isles and Sue Edmonds dropping just one set in the whole match.

l Last Sunday, the men’s veteran second team played their first game in Lincs Division One.

Up against last years runners-up Grimsby, it was always going to be a difficult opening game to the season but the team of Mike Roys, Mark Farmer, Rob Isaac and Nigel Birch gave a good account of themselves, with each pair winning one set.

But it was not enough for victory but a good performance nonetheless, with the overall result a 6-2 defeat.

l The Grantham club’s third mixed indoor team travelled to Nottingham Tennis Centre to meet a tough Attenborough side last Monday evening.

The Grantham side consisted of captain Rob Isaac, Barry Priestley, Jo Jones and Yvonne Walker.

Grantham got off to a great start by winning the men’s doubles match. But the ladies could not replicate their male counterparts.

Grantham managed to take one of the mixed matches, but Attenborough comfortably won the other to take a 35-24 victory.

The theft of two bottles of champagne has been admitted by a 39-year-old Grantham man.

Philip Pledger of Stour Court pleaded guilty to stealing the bottles valued at £70 from the Co-op on Princess Drive in Grantham.

The court heard how at 4.15pm on September 27, Pledger went into the store and put the champagne into a black bag before leaving without paying.

This was seen on CCTV, and Pledger was arrested and interviewed during which he said his partner had lost her purse and he therefore had no money.

Prosecutor Marie Stace added that Pledger did return to the store later and offer to pay for the stolen champagne.

Ian Boddy, defending, made reference to Pledger’s history of drug use and offending to finance that habit,

Chris Payne from the probation service gave testimony and described Pledger as ‘a long term customer of the probation service’, while at the same time highlighting his progress.

Mr Payne said: “He has made greater strides in the last year than in the previous ten years put together.”

He informed magistrates that Pledger is a father of two with a third child due in November, and that this was motivating him to change his behaviour.

Pledger regularly attends appointments with the Drugs and Alcohol Recovery Team (DART) and had been producing negative results for drugs.

For the shoplifting offence Pledger was sentenced to a community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement lasting six months.

He must also pay £70 in compensation to the Co-op and a £60 victim surcharge.

On handing down the sentence the magistrates encouraged Pledger to continue making progress, and added: “Let’s see if life can begin at 40.”

The trust which runs Grantham Hospital will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) with a chance for the public to ask questions.

The board of United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust meets at 9am in Training Room 1 of the hospital.

Items for discussion at the meeting include a CQC inspection update, a Lincolnshire Health and Care update and performance and finance.

Twelve people accused of being involved in a large-scale conspiracy to supply controlled drugs made an appearance before Lincoln Crown Court today.

All 12 were arrested last month following a joint operation between Lincolnshire Police and the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, which led to searches being carried out in Grantham, Nottinghamshire and Greater Manchester.

They are charged with conspiracy to supply drugs between January 1 and October 20 this year,

Nine of the defendants were remanded in custody. They are Jonathan Paul Ferry, 45, of Larch Close, Grantham; Paul Hull, 46, of Grantley Street, Grantham; Stuart Frazier, 53, of Princess Drive, Grantham; Adam Higgs, 23, of Shaw Road, Grantham; Ashley Toulson, 26, of Edward Street, Grantham; James Straw, 49, of Petersmith Drive, New Ollerton, Newark; Tyrone Sly, 45, of Bye Path Road, Retford; Ryan Anderson, 29, of Walmer Street, Gorton, Manchester; and Luke Smith, 25, of Goulden Street, Salford.

The three other defendants were granted conditional bail. They are Jamie Darby, 38, of Princess Drive, Grantham; Anthony Morton, 26, of Tamar Court, Grantham; and Francesca Moynihan, 21, of Hawthorn Drive, Salford .

No pleas were taken today. Judge Michael Heath adjourned the case until February next year when a plea and case management hearing is to be held at venue to be decided.

United Counties League

Premier Division

Harrowby United 2

Eynesbury Rovers 1

Harrowby United came out on top by the odd goal in three against Eynesbury Rovers in a meeting of two of last season’s promoted teams.

The Arrows started well with Lee Shaw creating an early chance after four minutes when, after a good run, he was thwarted by a fine defensive tackle.

A minute later, Sam Weatherstone got forward from right back to provide a ball into the Rovers box for Scott Webb. His shot was blocked before falling to Martin Wormall whose follow-up effort was ruled out for offside.

Rovers’ first real chance fell for Lee Bassett who was fed well by Tom Coles, but the striker’s shot was easily saved by Arrows keeper Aiden Hotchin who was called in as a late replacement for Jack Drury who picked up an injury in pre-match preparation.

Webb opened the scoring for the home side after 17 minutes when Bobby Lee played a good through-ball in for Wormall. He laid it off to Webb who curled a sweet right foot shot past Rovers goalkeeper Adam Lawrence.

Harrowby had a good shout for a penalty turned down by referee Mr Jones-Eyre 10 minutes later. Simon Bolland, returning from a leg fracture, ran through from midfield, squared the ball for Wormall, but he was pulled back as he tried to get a shot away, resulting in a tame effort straight at Lawrence. The referee waved away Harrowby’s appeals.

Eynesbury levelled five minutes before the break when a ball out from the back by Darren Woodend found Coles. His cross came off the head of Billy Stubbs, another player returning from injury, to find its way to Bassett who calmly despatched the ball past Hotchin.

A minute later, Coles set up Alex Marsh inside the area but the wideman’s shot went straight at Hotchin. In stoppage time at the end of the half, Stubbs got across the front of the Rovers defenders to get on the end of a Bobby Lee corner from the right, only to see his header flash narrowly over the crossbar.

The visitors from the St Neots area started the second half well and inside the opening five minutes created two chances. Firstly, James Freshwater’s shot from the edge of the box was saved by Hotchin and, moments later, Marsh’s cross was too close to the goal for Bassett to turn in, as stretching, he hooked the ball narrowly wide of the far post.

Harrowby regained the lead after 51 minutes when Wormall chased a lost cause down the left flank and forced Rovers right back Nathan Field to concede a throw-in. Webb launched the ball into the box and Sam Hill chested it down for Shaw who fired past Lawrence on the half-volley.

The game became quite open after the goal as the visitors pushed men forward and the Arrows caused problems on the counter-attack.

On 69 minutes, Rovers went close to an equaliser when, after a scramble on the penalty area, a low effort appeared to strike a prone Jack Whyley’s arm. No penalty was given, and the ferocious rebound effort from the edge of the box poleaxed Bolland as he blocked the drive, the ball catching him full in the face.

Ten minutes later, Weatherstone set Shaw away but the Harrowby striker saw his effort hit the side netting.

As the clock ran down, Hotchin beat away a Freshwater free kick from distance and Wormall, put in by Webb, saw Lawrence save his right foot effort just under the cross bar.

Eynebury’s final attempt in stoppage time saw a Bassett shot drift wide.

Harrowby’s man of the match was John Currall.

Harrowby United: Hotchin, Weatherstone, Currall, Whyley, Stubbs, Lee, Hill, Bolland (Payne, 87), Webb, Wormall (c), Shaw. Subs not used: Peberdy, Daykin.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is asking residents to put safety first when celebrating Bonfire Night.

It is one of busiest nights of the year for county firefighters and last year they were called out to 15 bonfires that got out of hand.

Karl Turrill, Deputy Community Fire Safety Manager, says: “It’s quite simple with fireworks and bonfires really. Follow the instructions, be mindful of the danger, and don’t expose your family or yourself to unnecessary risks. You can reduce the chance of anything unexpected happening by supervising children at all times, keeping pets indoors, making sure everyone is stood well back, and not drinking alcohol if you are lighting fireworks. Please enjoy yourselves and have a safe evening.”

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue advise people to attend an organised event, but if you are thinking of holding your own, follow these top tips to keep firework night fun for all.

Position fireworks and bonfires away from sheds, fences and trees.

Don’t build bonfires too big and make sure the stack is stable so it doesn’t collapse.

Remember that despite their colourful appearance, fireworks are explosives and must be treated with care.

When buying fireworks, make sure that they are marked BS7114 – the British Standard that all fireworks should meet.

Check the bonfire before lighting it to ensure there are no children or pets are nearby.

Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.

Don’t use petrol or paraffin to get the fire going as it may get out of control quickly. Use paper and firelighters instead.

Don’t leave bonfires or fireworks unattended.

Supervise your children with sparklers.

Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby just in case.

To find out more information on how to stay safe this bonfire night, visit http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lfr

Talented youngsters are needed to form the cast of a production of the classic musical Les Miserablés School Edition to be staged next summer.

Auditions are being held to find Lincolnshire’s best young singers and actors to perform lead roles and form the ensemble in the show which is being produced by Lincoln-based company MJH Productions.

This will be the second time that MJH Productions has staged the musical after first producing the show in 2009 to standing ovations and rave reviews.

Their summer 2015 production is in association with The Priory Ruskin Academy and Priory Ruskin’s new 300-seater theatre has been chosen as the venue to stage the show.

Matthew Hewitt, who has produced both amateur and professional theatre, is looking for a cast of around 45 students aged between 13 and 19 and will hold auditions at The Priory Ruskin Academy on Saturday, January 17, between 9.30am and 6pm. He is also searching for three younger girls and two younger boys to play the roles of Gavrouché, little Eponine and little Cosette.

For more information, an application form and a chance to audition email perform@gapa.me or call 07957 567507.

Members of Grantham Angling Association and Bottesford and District AA combined to take on Collingham AC on the River Witham at Foston and Long Bennington.

The biggest catch of the day was by I. Sparrow with a netful weighing in at 33lb 0oz 8dr.

Others: 2 B. Watchorn 16.08.00, 3 M. Nicholsoon 15.08.00; section 1 - B. Cross 8.10.00, section 2 - A. Coulson 14.13.00.

The next match is next Sunday (November 16) on the River Witham, with a 9am draw at Long Bennington layby.

Grantham table tennis umpire Alex Mercer won the Young Official of the Year at the Sports Officials UK annual awards ceremony in Daventry last Thursday.

Twenty-three-year-old Alex, who qualified in 2010 as one of the youngest English national umpires, has this year officiated at the Youth Olympics in China and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, as well as the English National Championships.

He was nominated for the award by Table Tennis England.

Alex said: “The past year has been great with the Youth Olympics and the Commonwealth Games and receiving this award has really capped it off.

“Table tennis has given me the opportunity to go to different parts of the world and meet people from all walks of life and I feel that I have learned a lot.

“It’s great to receive this award and it makes me feel appreciated by Table Tennis England to be nominated. It’s also good to see table tennis being recognised alongside all the other sports and their officials at this event.”

The SOUK Awards recognise “the immense value of sports officials and the role they play in increasing and sustaining participation within all sports”.

The event featured guest speakers Howard Webb, who refereed the 2010 football World Cup final, plus rugby union referee Wayne Barnes and umpire and former cricketer Richard Illingworth.

Alex Mercer (centre) is pictured with Pat Smith of SOUK (left) and Karen Tonge of Table Tennis England.