And in a double triumph for the area, Kirkby's Sam Hynd took the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award as well as the junior title.

• VIDEO: Should Rebecca Adlington be named Sports Personality of the Year?

Both of the Mansfield Nova Centurion swimmers sprung to national prominence after their exploits in Beijing, where Becky (19) rewrote the history books with gold medals and Sam (17) claimed gold and bronze.

Becky now hopes to go and scoop the presigious national BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in front of a live TV audience on 14th December.

• Listen to an interview with Becky's mum Kay in our new podcast Sports Talk, click here

She was joined onstage for the presentation at the Concert Hall by all 10 members of her family who had gone along to support her which was a touching moment.

Thursday evening's East Nidlands award win capped a remarkable 48 hours for Becky, after she was earlier in the day voted European female swimmer of the year - the first time a British woman has lifted the award since 1960 - and yesterday in London won the Sports Journalists' Association's Sportswoman of the Year award, presented to her by the Princess Royal.

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She smashed the world record at the Olympic Games on her way to gold in the 800m freestyle, following her stunning, narrow and unexpected triumph in the 400m a few days earlier in Beijing.

"We will definitely need a bigger trophy cabinet," mum Kay told Chad at the BBC awards night on Thursday. "It's non-stop still, but I am sure things will calm down in the New Year and Becky will be able to concentrate on her swimming again."

Fellow Olympic gold medalist Tim Brebants, who was given a special award on the night for his achievements, paid tribute to Becky, saying: "She is a fantastic athlete and she was a real inspiration - the swimmers had finished before we got started.

"She has a great career ahead of her.

Record-breaking Sam Hynd knocked five seconds off his own world record in winning the 400m freestyle at the Paralympic Games - just a few weeks after Becky's success.

The Ashfield School pupil, who trains alongside golden girl Becky, also won bronze in the 200m individual medley.

He collected his awards, but admitted he had to be in the pool at 6am the next morning.

Becky's coach Bill Furniss, of the Nova Centurion Swimming Club, also collected a Judges Special Award at the BBC East Midlands Sports Personality event.

The awards were hosted by John Inverdale at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall.

There was further Mansfield presence onstage when Mansfield Town FC chief executive John Hemmingham played trumpet with the 'England band' while Mansfield's twice Choral Olympic Champions and Choir of the World Cantamus performed pop hits 'Mercy' by Duffy and Coldplay's 'Fix You'.

And among the audience were Stags chairman Andy Perry and striker Jason Lee.

Tonight's award ceremony, supported by Sport England, was a glittering celebration of a terrific year of sport in the East Midlands and the night saw a parade of Olympic champions.

The GB Cycling Team's Performance Director, Dave Brailsford, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire was named Coach of the Year.

Young Nottinghamshire gymnast, Becky Downie, collected the Junior Sportsperson of the Year. Dr Tim Brabants was given a Special Award for his gold medal in the canoe sprint in Beijing; whilst the Enterprise in Sport Award went to Speedo International of Nottingham who designed the world beating LZR swim suit.

The family of the late Jimmy Sirrel collected the Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to football in Nottingham.

Leicester bin man Rendall Munroe (boxing), who trains at the Shinfield gym in Alfreton, was presented with the Brian Clough Breakthrough Award. And the GB short track speed skating team, based in Nottingham, were team of the year.

Leicester City's Joe Mattock, who became the second youngest footballer ever to play for the England U21 team, won the Football Achievement of the Year.

The Unsung Hero Award supported by Robinsons was won by Bill Halstead, a Matlock-based rugby coach.