THE Outstanding Achievement Award went to Channel-swimming king Mervyn Sharp of Coronation Crescent.
His nomination described him as a hero in every sense of the word.
Presenter, Ms Greenwood said: "He's known as king of the channel having swum across it seven times. A Weymouth man he's also been a wrestler, a rugby player, swum around Long Island, represented England in a marathon swim and also been inducted in the swimming hall of fame."
The award was sponsored by Loders and judges said they had chosen an outstanding character whose personality was only eclipsed by his achievements.
Mervyn said despite having certificates for entering the marathon swimming hall of fame in Florida and breaking the world record for channel swimming, he considers the People's Award 'pretty darn special'.
He said: "It's nice to know that the people of Weymouth, my home town, have voted for me really."
He added: "I've just swam from here to there, I know the training takes a long time but I enjoyed it - some of the people here look after invalids or whatever and they've got to do that 24 hours a day.
"So in there at the award ceremony I felt quite humble. I felt I was in great company."
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