The glittering annual Argus Achievement Awards were once again a magnificent night as the unsung heroes of Sussex had their moment of glory in the spotlight.

All the finalists at Friday's awards night were invited as guests of honour.

Nicholas Owen began the evening with a cheer from the crowd before his former colleague Carol Barnes took to the stage to present the Achiever of the Year.

It was won by Clare Forbes, from Crawley, the 22-year-old girl who overcame near-death through meningitis and the amputation of both her legs below the knee to complete two marathons and attempt a parachute jump this June.

She became the first person to win two Argus Achievement Awards.

She was named courageous child of the year at the inaugural awards in 2002.

She is now concentrating on setting up the Achilles Foundation, a US-based charity for disabled sportsmen, in the UK.

She walked up to the stage on the arm of her stepfather, Eiffie Verboot , and said: "I'm so shocked to win it, I just thought I was here for a nice meal. It's nice to have it presented by Nick Owen - he's lovely!"

Dr Priscilla Noble-Matthews was the winner of the Angel of the Year award which was presented by actress Avril Gaynor.

She wore her SIMCAS doctor's uniform to the ceremony, accompanied by her fire and ambulance colleagues, also in uniform.

She said she was "absolutely stunned" and added: "I have always wanted to be an angel!"

The third award was for Pupil of the Year, presented by actor Brian Capron - booed and hissed by the audience for being murderer Richard Hillman in Coronation Street.

Lewis Fry won the award, for his resolute attitude to his PE GCSE, despite having cerebral palsy.

He said: "This is the first time I have been speechless! I didn't realise it was Brian Capron until I got on stage. My mates will think it's funny!"

His grandfather, Monty Colhoun, said: "It's brilliant, he really deserves it. Nothing's impossible for Lewis."

Parent of the Year was won by Pauline Santer, who swapped her own home with her daughter's to allow her more space and is called upon constantly to help out.

She said: "I kept saying it's not me, it's not me! I've stopped crying now! I don't think I deserve it, I don't feel I've done anything special, just what I have had to do."

Her award was presented by Travers Clarke-Walker of EDF Energy, the Awards' sponsors.

Magicians Gustav and Lee took to the stage again to present the Charity of the Year award to ASSERT, set up to help adults and teenagers with Asperger Syndrome in Brighton and Hove.

A big part of its work is spent trying to gain a broader understanding of the syndrome in society and the charity's founders said the win was a real boost to their efforts.

Jane Frost, who set up the charity, which runs from Community Base, which was also nominated, said: "My son has had aspergers for 26 years and it makes us as a charity aware of what's needed. The more we can raise awareness the better."

The Good Neighbour of the Year was given to Victoria Bailey, who has spent the past year to raising funds for James Alderman, a friend's little boy who was struck down with meningitis and lost both his legs.

She has organised a sponsored walk, a celebrity auction and has a £10,000 target.

She was lost for words, but her mum, Rachel Bailey, said: "I'm very proud of what she's done. She's done nothing else but think about James. If she had her last penny she would give it away and she's very humble."

Her award was presented by artist Julie-Anne Gilbert.

The seventh award of the night brought a tearful standing ovation.

It was for four courageous children, and in the end it was decided by the judges that all should win the award.

The Courageous Children of the Year are Ashanti White, three, who has the rare disease Progeria which makes the body age around eight times faster than normal. Ashanti was not able to attend the evening.

Hayley Okines, eight, another winner, also suffers from Progeria.

Six-year-old Alice Marples, the third winner, has undergone 47 blood transfusions and had chemotherapy to remove and reduce a tumour behind her eye in which she has no sight.

Finally, the award also went to Sacha Skinner, five, who has Batten Disease, a rare disorder which affects the nervous system and causes regular fits.

Hayley said: "It's exciting and I'm glad that everybody won. I'm going to put the award up on the wall with my other photos."

Alice said: "It's excellent! I just feel really happy. I was so relieved and proud that everybody won. I'm going to hang my award in my room."

Her sister, Emily, said: "It was emotional because we have all gone through a lot and I feel very proud of her because she had to go into hospital."

Sacha's mum Annette Dacosta said: "It was lovely that all the children won because you can't make a distinction, they're all so brave.Sacha has been clapping all night and she's really excited by all the noises and lights and glitter!"

Her father, Neil Skinner, said: "It's not the winning, it's being recognised and it's just a brilliant atmosphere."

Danny Pike from Southern FM, who presented the award and has two daughters of his own, aged 14 and 11, said: "It's the most emotional award of the night because children have it tough anyway without the adversities these kids have to deal with. I think it's also recognition for their parents. It's tough on them too."

Judy Cooper, a history teacher from Hove Park School, who has created novel ways of teaching, including a Richard and Judy-style show, won Teacher of the Year.

As she went on stage to collect the award she told Nicholas Owen and award presenter Dick Knight, chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion, that they were very handsome.

The Beyond the Call of Duty Award was presented in honour of police officer Jeff Tooley, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Shoreham seven years ago.

His brother, Russell came to present the award but the winner, Michael Coghlan, who gave up his life in Jersey to care for his father Terry, was unable to attend the ceremony.

School of the Year went to Dorothy Stringer High School for its work in areas such as the environment, sports, theatre and community work.

It was presented by actress Carol Cleveland.

Assistant head teacher Sue Middleton said: "It's the icing on the cake."

Headteacher Trevor Allen said: "It's all born out of love. We love the school. That's how we achieve what we do. It's nothing to do with anything but basic human values. We're so proud of our school."

The Adam Faith Local Hero Award, presented in memory of the singer, was presented by actor Michael Jayston.

It was won by Charlie Fearn, who saved his wife's life, and his own, when arsonists set fire to their home in Durrington, Worthing, last October.

The Fearn family were all gathered to celebrate Charlie's success and were tearful when he came to collect the award.

He received it with his wife, Chris. She said: "He was my hero anyway, he's such a lovely husband."

Son Stuart said: "We're a bit blown away. It's awe-inspiring what he did."

Charlie said: "I'm over the moon. I'd like to thank all my sons for what they have done. It's unbelievable. I wasn't expecting this."

An additional award was made in recognition of the good work the Brighton Festival has done for the area.

Festival chief executive Nick Dodds received the Contribution to Brighton Award on behalf of his organisation after a short film showcasing the festival's events.

Mr Dodds said:"It's really exciting. I'm so proud for the festival."

Finally, The Argus sprang a surprise on the Contribution to Sussex award winner, Roger French, who runs Brighton and Hove Buses.

Mr French was amazed by a speech and photo reel about his life. He did not know he was there to receive an award.

He was even more stunned to see his whole family and oldest friends and colleagues arrive on stage to greet him.

Mr French received the award for his tremendous work with the bus company, his chairmanship of the Martlets Hospice, overseeing the raising of £3million a year, trusteeship of The Argus Appeal and his many civic duties.

He said: "I just do my job, which I love. I'm lucky because I have a great team.

His wife Deirdre, said: "I think it was absolutely fantastic. He was very embarrassed. He supports all those charities and civic groups as well as his work and looking after me. How he does it I have no idea and he never loses his temper because he is so sweet."

Margaret Abbott, from Hove, was at the ceremony with her husband and family as her daughter Stephanie was nominated for Neighbour of the Year.

She contacted The Argus after the ceremony to to say what a great night it had been.

Hilary Walkman, of EDF Energy, said: "EDF Energy is delighted to have supported the Argus Achievement awards once again.

"It was a truly inspirational evening and demonstrated why it is so important to support the communities in which we serve."