FATHER and son paddlers Ian and Leo Webber claimed a club trophy for their efforts in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race despite not making it to the finish.

The two men were among a number of crews that had to finish their race at Teddington when organisers decided Storm Katie was making it too dangerous to continue.

But on Saturday they received Devizes Canoe Club's prize for the best senior performance in the race. More than 70 members gathered at the clubhouse at Lower Wharf to see a total of 14 awards given out.

Steve Gill, from Prolight Designs in Devizes, handed the Prolight Award - an annual award given to the member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty - to Dan Colby.

Mr Colby had paddled the Devizes to Westminster race with his mum, Sue, in a Canadian canoe and the pair achieved the club’s fastest time of the year and been part of the club’s race winning team.

Awards were given to Maddy Wilks and Kitty Kirby, as the joint junior newcomer of the year, having been promoted in each of the Hasler Series races that they had entered together.

Charlie Allen won the trophy for most points in Hasler races during the season, and Spencer Armstrong, who is on the British Canoeing Talent Pathway and was selected for an Olympic Hopefuls regatta during the summer was the club racer of the year.

Club volunteers were recognised too with Mr Colby also winning the coach of the year award for his time spent coaching juniors. throughout the year.

Sammy Bourlet was recognised as the volunteer of the year for his time helping out with the junior sessions, having only recently been taking part in them as a participant.

The final award was to Mark Bouch, who was awarded lifetime membership of the club in recognition of the effort he has put in getting the club’s premises transferred to them, getting grant money and supervising the extensive building work that has been carried out transforming the former Wiltshire Council depot in to a superb facility.

Club chairman Kevin Dobson said “The club is continuing to grow, and this year we have over 140 members.

"It is great to be able to meet socially and to take stock of where we are, and to congratulate and thank all of our members who have raced for the club and those who have coached and volunteered and made the club so successful."