FORMER British international pole vault star Allan Williams was the guest speaker at the Bromley schools’ achievement in sport awards ceremony.

Williams has competed in the Commonwealth Games, European championships and Olympics and is now a masters athlete.

He holds six British age group records and has claimed 10 medals in major international championships, including winning three world masters championships.

The celebration in the Great Hall at Bromley Civic Centre on May 14 showcased outstanding achievement by Bromley secondary and special school students.

Among those attending were mayor of Bromley Douglas Auld, Bromley council’s portfolio holder for children and young people Councillor Ernest Noad and director of children and young people services Gillian Pearson.

Councillor Noad welcomed students, parents, staff, and special guests and highlighted the great achievements in sport, of which Bromley is very proud.

He also acknowledged the dedication of head teachers and staff in schools who support young people at all levels of their learning.

Cllr Noad said: “These awards celebrate the high level of sporting achievement across our schools.

“These young sportsmen and women have represented their schools at the highest level, many gaining personal bests, and serve as ambassadors for sport within the borough and nationally.”

Gillian Pearson presented the team awards and the mayor presented the leadership awards.

Williams presented the excellence awards, while Nick Ware, head teacher of the Priory School, was the master of ceremony.

The Geoff Comer Cup for outstanding achievement was awarded to swimmer Michael Gunning from Coopers School, who is ranked second in his age group nationally and 10th in open age group.

Gunning broke 15 event performance records in the county championships last year, as well as two county records for the 200m and 800m freestyle, finishing the championship with 16 individual gold medals and four silvers.

He is also ranked second in world trials ranking.

The winner of the Sport Bromley award was Grace Lovegrove, a student at Hayes School.

She has been competing and excelled in both cricket and Hockey, competing at an extremely high level.

In cricket she has been part of the Kent county setup for five years, including being county captain when her side won the national championship.