PAUL Wilkes has thanked everyone who voted for him after winning the race to be named the Redditch and Alcester Advertiser’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2014.

The 30-year-old, a member of Redditch Swimming Club (RSC), won a very tight race for the annual accolade.

He bagged 44 per cent of the vote, just pipping Winter Olympic speed skater Charlotte Gilmartin, who finished on 42 per cent.

Partially-sighted England cricketer Luke Sugg was third with nine per cent, followed by mountain bike star Beth Crumpton and boxer Andrew Robinson.

“I am deeply honoured to win the Redditch and Alcester Advertiser’s Sports Personality of the Year award,” said Wilkes, who is also RSC’s club captain.

“To be included against such a list of high-class athletes was incredible.

“I could not have done it without the the support and encouragement of everyone at Redditch Swimming Club.

“I can only reinforce my thanks to all those who helped make this possible.”

Wilkes was included in the shortlist after success at the British Gas ASA National Masters Championships.

Swimming in the 30-34 years age group, the chartered surveyor was too strong for the opposition in his specialist butterfly events, as he won gold medals in both the 100-metre and 200m butterfly events in the pool.

As well as adding these two further national titles to his long list of swimming achievements, he also smashed the British record for his age group in the 200m butterfly, as he cruised home almost nine seconds ahead of the second-placed swimmer.

His time of 2:04.49 was more than one second faster than the previous record, and he already has his name proudly posted on the official ASA list of British masters’ swimming records.

Wilkes, who spends 12 hours a week training at the club, intends to try and repeat his success again at the championships.

Overall, this year’s online ballot on The Advertiser website was a huge hit, attracting over 37,000 votes.

We’d like to thank all four readers for their participation in the competition.

If you have a sports story then call sports editor Peter McKinney on 01384 358221 or email: peter.mckinney@hotmail.co.uk