SAINTS legend Matt Le Tissier and Flybe head of marketing Ian Taylor crowned the south’s local heroes at a presentation at St Mary’s Stadium.

Winners of the Daily Echo-backed Flybe Local Heroes Awards gathered for a champagne reception after thousands of readers voted for who they believed had the biggest hearts in the community in the first awards of their kind in the region.

Each of the victorious organisations in the three competition categories of charity, education and sport help children in the county through their mammoth efforts.

The charity U-Support, founded by Adam and Tracey Gregory, which gives disabled children the chance to go to football and cultural events, won the charity section.

Eastleigh Youth Trust, a charity that runs the Pavilion on the Park youth and community centre off Kingfisher Road and supports young people’s activities, won the education category to expand its project Spreading our Wings to help more youths in the area.

The Dynamo School of Gymnastics, based at Hamble Community Sports College, won the Flybe Local Heroes sports categories and plans to send its gymnasts abroad for further training opportunities.

All three winners collected an envelope with their prize of £3,000 in cash and £4,000 in flights from Flybe.

Matt Le Tissier said: “There was a huge amount of worthy organisations which applied, and a lot of varied ones as well.

“It is fantastic that the readers themselves have voted for the winners and not the judges. It shows people appreciate the remarkable work that is done in our community and it was a pleasure for me to be involved.”

Mr Taylor added: “We are delighted that so many people have voted and more importantly that they have chosen three worthy organisations. That is the reason these organisations should feel very proud.”