The county's own 'Magnificent Seven' did Leicestershire proud at the Special Olympic World Games this summer.

As well as competing against athletes from 180 countries, the county contingent, who have been nominated in the Team of the Year section of the Mercury Sports Awards, had to battle against a sickness bug which hit the Great Britain squad at the start of competition.

Yet those problems were put to one side as the Leicestershire competitors returned home from the competition in Athens with 11 medals – including three golds – in their luggage.

Victories went to Christine Durrance in the equestrian events, Patrick Cox in table tennis and Kellie Brabham, who shone in the judo competition.

Lee Penfold, Tom Taylor and Chris Southwell helped the basketball team to pick up a bronze medal, while swimmer Christina Lewis claimed a silver medal and two bronze awards in the pool.

For half a dozen of the seven it was a first taste of the Games' atmosphere.

For Penfold, it was his second trip and he knows better than anyone how the level of Special Olympics competition has risen – and continues to rise.

"There are more countries involved now so the competition is getting trickier," said the Hinckley man. "In China in 2007, there were 100 countries. In Greece there were 180.

"You know that when you put a Great Britain jersey on you are going to be up against some very tough opposition."

Penfold and his basketball colleagues also lost the services of Taylor, who had to have his appendix removed after falling ill during the tournament.

"We took Tom's medal to the hospital, that cheered him up," said Penfold.

The athletes' endeavours in Greece were recognised earlier this month when they were invited to a civic reception staged at De Montfort University.

See the full list of sports awards nominees and send in your nominations here