THE BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony got off to a poignant start as former Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir was presented with the Helen Rollason award.

The 49-year-old from Stow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2016, and he has spent the time since then working to raise awareness of the condition through his charity My Name'5 Doddie.

The award recognises outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

Weir, who won 61 caps for Scotland during a distinguished career which began at Melrose, said: "It's quite ironic being a Scottish rugby player in the 90s, this is the closest I ever got to a trophy.

"The generosity and support towards my foundation has been outstanding.

"The other thing sport has taught me is to enjoy oneself. Enjoy today because you don't know what happens tomorrow."

Keiren Thompson was the overall winner of the Unsung Hero prize out of a pool of 15 regional award winners.

Thompson is the founder of Helping Kids Achieve community group in Nottingham, and was presented with the award by Eliud Kipchoge.

Kipchoge, who became the first person in history to run the marathon in under two hours in October in Vienna, had been announced as the winner of the World Sport Star award on Saturday. He also won the London Marathon for the fourth time earlier this year.

John Blackie, the coach of world 200 metres champion Dina Asher-Smith, was presented with the Coach of the Year award.

Blackie has worked with Asher-Smith since she was eight at the Blackheath and Bromley Athletics Club.

Asher-Smith, who also won silver at the 100m at the Doha World Championships, has described Blackie as being "like a second dad" to her.

Asher-Smith said: "John deserves this so much. He's just so inspirational, so selfless and he has been working in track since before I was born. This is it for me, I'm really happy."

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson received the Lifetime Achievement award to mark a stunning sporting career.

Wheelchair racer Grey-Thompson won 11 Paralympic gold medals between 1992 and 2004 as well as six London Marathon titles. Following her retirement she has remained heavily involved in sport, working on the board of the London Marathon and the SportsAid Foundation.

England's Cricket World Cup winners were handed the Team of the Year prize.

Captained by Eoin Morgan and inspired by the brilliant Ben Stokes, England secured a first 50-over world title in the men's game after overcoming New Zealand in a Super Over at Lord's in July.

England sealing the World Cup was also chosen as the Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year.

Stokes' incredible summer helped him secure the main Sports Personality award.

The 28-year-old held his nerve with an unbeaten 84 in the World Cup final, and just over a month later his glorious 135 not out at Headingley won the third Ashes Test for England, though ultimately Australia would retain the urn despite his heroics.

Stokes' sizzling performances had made him the overwhelming bookmakers' favourite for this award, and he finished ahead of Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and Asher-Smith at the event in Aberdeen on Sunday night.

It is a story of redemption for Stokes, who in 2018 was cleared of affray charges following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September of the previous year.

Also on the six-person shortlist were world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Wales rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones and England forward Raheem Sterling.

After receiving the award, Stokes said: "First of all, congratulations to all the nominees, what you have managed to achieve as individuals and what you have managed to do for your sport is seriously sensational.

"Obviously it's an individual award but I play in a team sport and the best thing about that is you get to share special moments with team-mates, backroom staff and management who make days like we had in the summer possible.

"I'm up here receiving this award but without the efforts you put in this summer, I wouldn't up here be doing that. So thank you so much."