A HOST of Gwent people picked up the honours at the star-studded Red Dragon FM Welsh Awards at the weekend.

Heroic postal worker Mike Parfitt and swimming coach Sharon Price joined Big Brother's Helen Adams, world champion boxer Joe Calzaghe and Newport band Feeder in the list of citations.

Helen, of Cwmbran, who was at the ceremony in Cardiff's City Hall with her mum Liz, won the Help a South Wales Child award.

"We are all here to raise money for the children," said Helen, who was wearing a dress created by her Torfaen dance teacher Paul Waite.

"It has been a mad nine months but I'm still the same normal girl and I miss my dancing.

I'm just taking one day at a time. I have no expectations for the future. I'm just making the most of every day."

Newbridge-based Joe Calzaghe was honoured for his contribution to Welsh sport.

"I'm glad my training schedule allowed me to come here tonight. It's nice to put Wales and Gwent on the map through being the best boxer in the world. This award is nice because it was voted for by the fans."

Mike Parfitt, of Markham Crescent, Oakdale, won the Argus-sponsored Local Hero title.

The father-of-two saved 15-year-old Heather Perrot-Douglas from a blaze at her Newport home.

"I'm very honoured. At the end of the day I still say I did what any other person would have done. It's an odd feeling to be here surrounded by so many celebrities and being congratulated.

"I'm very surprised to win because I was up against strong competition. I didn't think I would win, I thought the others deserved it more."

The Argus teamed up with Red Dragon to give readers the chance to nominate those they felt worthy of recognition.

Mike, who was nominated by Heather's family, is also going to London next week to represent Wales at the Red Cross Humanitarian Awards.

Sharon Price, who won the award for outstanding service to the community, established Torfaen Puffins club for asthmatic children in 1985 and as a voluntary coach has helped improve the health of hundreds of children.

Newport band Feeder won the Best Band award at the ceremony.