A BUDDING boxer from Chard proved he has knockout potential after scooping a Gold Star Award in the district council's community awards.

Mitchell Ayers, from Chard Boxing Club, impressed the judges after he made it to the semi-finals of a national championship which he entered on the back of seven successive defeats, and was given the young sports performer of the year award.

He was one of 10 people to pick up an award at the ceremony on October 25, which was held at Yeovil's Octagon Theatre.

It was the 10th year the awards had been running and Cllr Rich Pallister, leader of South Somerset District Council, praised all those who scooped an award.

Cllr Pallister said: "The Gold Star Awards saw the South Somerset District Council team performing to the highest possible standard.

"Everything about the evening was superbly organised and managed and professionalism shone through.

"Every year you think it cannot get any better but it does.

"Last night was in the top league with the Lifetime Achievement award the highlight.

"To see 89-year-old Alan Sandall walk lightly across that stage and talk to us about Scouting and Dunkirk was inspiring and every person, young and old, that walked onto that stage last night deserved to be there and to be publicly recognised."

The Gold Star Awards primarily focus on celebrating inspirational young people and the adult volunteers working with them.

Nine awards were presented on the evening as well as live performances from The Dance Academy, Cary Amateur Theatrical Society and Castaways Theatre Group.

The final act was a local young rock group named The Cherry Trees, who went down a storm.

In the other awards, James Divall won adult volunteer of the year for his work at West Coker Scouts, Ash Rovers JFC U10 won the junior sports club of the year award, Barton St David Scout Group won the junior club of the year, Hollie Wright won the adults sports volunteer of the year award, Amber Matthews won the young artistic achiever of the year, Somerset Play Forum Achievement Award was won by Brookside Academy Holiday Club, Lannence Hole won the young sports performer of the year award, splitting it with Mitchell, Oli Moore won young volunteer of the Year and Alan Sandall won the lifetime achievement award.

Cllr Sylvia Seal, South Somerset's portfolio holder for leisure and culture, added: "South Somerset District Council is committed to supporting young people year round and this awards ceremony gives well deserved recognition to so many of our local heroes.

"These dedicated volunteers, coaches and young people enable many of the rural villages to run the clubs, facilities and activities that are the lifeblood of their communities.

"This event is about giving something back to these people as well as sharing some remarkably inspirational stories."