An inspiring young leader in blind sport was among the winners at a Leamington Spa-based charity's awards night held to mark its 50^th anniversary.

British Blind Sport has been working with children and adults with sight loss since 1975 and celebrated its half century of work with the awards event at Mallory Court Country House Hotel.

Winners on the night included Shoaib Nazir, who received the Future Leader award, which was sponsored by Blythe Liggins Solicitors.

Shoaib started out in blind cricket, becoming captain of Lancashire Lions development cricket team and vice-captain of the first team by the age of 23. 

He was named Player of the Day in his first tournament by Goalball UK and has been named Best Blind Player nationally under Blind Cricket England and Wales for the past two seasons.

Shoaib recently took his coaching qualifications and played a key role in establishing the Greater Manchester Gladiators Blind Baseball team, a team which he manages and has already led to becoming league winners.

Claire Kirwan, partner and head of the personal injury and clinical negligence department at Blythe Liggins Solicitors, was delighted to share the awards evening with Shoaib and his sister.

Claire said: "Through his dedication, enthusiasm, and leadership, Shoaib has become a role model for younger members and the wider community, making him a truly deserving candidate for the Future Leaders Award.

"We were proud to be part of the awards, which is such a worthy event, and to support a local charity that makes an incredible difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people across the UK."