A TEST Valley based angler has been honoured at a county awards scheme.

Graham Mabey, who runs Ampfield based outdoor sport company, FLE Adventures, recently netted the Performance Coach of the Year award at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Awards.

The event, held at Southampton FC’s St Mary’s stadium earlier this month, highlights sporting achievement across Hampshire including as part of the international, national and county scenes.

Mabey, who was the only sportsmen from Test Valley to be nominated this year, was honoured with the award for his dedication to coaching and also for his role in winning the Carp World Championships with Carp Team England in 2015.

He said: “The awards are a great way to showcase opportunities, small sports and athletes you wouldn’t know were there but are doing great work in Hampshire.

“It’s great to be recognised for a sport that doesn’t always have a lot of coverage.

“We’re taking the England Team to defend their world title in France this year – four days and four nights of relentless fishing.”

The awards, hosted on the night by BBC South Today presenter Kris Kemple, are run by Hampshire County Council in conjunction with Sport Hampshire.

The council’s executive member for culture and recreation, Cllr Andrew Gibson, said: “The annual Hampshire & IOW Sports Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the amazing achievements and efforts of our sporting community.

“All the nominees and winners should feel very proud of their achievements.”