Mark Selby's rise to number one in the world snooker rankings saw him crowned as Leicester Mercury Sportsman of the Year last night.

It is the first time the player, nicknamed the Jester from Lester, has lifted the Mercury trophy.

Selby was unable to collect the trophy himself as he is playing in the Masters tournament at Alexandra Palace in London.

However, the honour was accepted on his behalf by another Leicester snooker hero, Willie Thorne, who also hosted last night's Mercury Sports Awards event at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road stadium.

There was success, too, for Whitwick athlete Gemma Steel, who captured the Sportswoman of the Year trophy.

The Charnwood AC runner enjoyed a stunning year of progress in 2011 as she earned her place among the sport's elite, culminating in winning a bronze medal at the European cross country championships in December and leading Great Britain to team gold.

The Team of the Year title was carried off by Leicestershire Foxes in recognition of their Friends Life t20 triumph in August.

The Mercury's acting editor Richard Bettsworth said: "Once again, we have so much to celebrate about the brilliant accomplishments of our sportsmen and women in Leicestershire during 2011. The judges had an incredibly difficult task in selecting winners from so many outstanding nominees."

The county's young stars shone through 2011, too, none more brightly than Cosby cyclist Lucy Garner.

The 17-year-old Countesthorpe College student, who collected a string of awards last year, was named Young Sportswoman of the Year having become the first British girl for 10 years to win the World junior road race championship. The hosts also had something to celebrate. Tigers' fly-half George Ford, one of the outstanding prospects in the domestic game, was named Young Sportsman of the Year.

The honours – organised by Champions (UK) plc – included the inaugural Lifetime Achievement award. It went to former Leicester City and Leicestershire CCC player Graham Cross and was presented by William Roache, Coronation Street's Ken Barlow.

Cross played 599 games for City, including two FA Cup finals, while in 1975 the all-rounder played in Leicestershire's Benson and Hedges Cup winning team and the side which beat the touring Australians.

Mr Bettsworth added: "We are delighted this year that this prestigious competition is being supported by Champions (UK) Plc which has taken on the role of headline sponsor and which organised last night's awards ceremony. We are also very grateful to all the other sponsors who have supported this event.

"Our congratulations to all our winners and all those who were nominated."

Leicester Mercury Sports Awards 2011 - gallery

Our Sporting Stars; The winners and highly commended at the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards

SPORTSMAN

Winner: Mark Selby

Commended: Dan Greaves; Dylan Fletcher

SPORTSWOMAN

Winner: Gemma Steel

Commended: Piggy French; Maddie Hinch

TEAM

Winner: Leicestershire Foxes

Commended: Coalville Town; Leicester Ladies HC

COACH

Winner: Adam Stevens

Commended: Rob Paternostro; Pete Leatherland

CLUB

Winner: City of Leicester SC

Commended: Leicester Monarchs; Leicester Coritanian

UNDER 19 TEAM

Winner: Lancaster School under-15 football team

Commended: Leicester Coritanian under 13 boys; Market Bosworth RUFC under 17s

YOUNG SPORTSMAN

Winner: George Ford

Commended: Shiv Thakor; Raphell Thomas-Edwards;

YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN

Winner: Lucy Garner

Commended: Sophie Smith; Mari Smith

JUNIOR SPORTSMAN

Winner: Ben Dijkstra

Commended: Coby Cartwright; Ahmad Saleh

JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN

Winner: Harriet Cooper

Commended: Grace Garner; Harriet West; Charlotte Broughton

COMMUNITY

Winner: Lynn Moore

Commended: Sue Jones; Bob King

ACTIVE4LIFE

Winner: Beverley Hooper

Commended: Mike Adlam; Jacque Chapman

NEVILLE HAMILTON AWARD

Leicester's Magnificent Seven – The Special Olympic World Games medal winners.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Graham Cross