A PROPERTY boss who sponsored Max Whitlock on the road to glory has praised the Olympic gymnast for bagging the title of Essex Sports Personality of the Year.

Max, who is a member of South Essex Gymnastics Club based at Basildon Sporting Village in Gloucester Park, was awarded the accolade after picking up two bronze medals at the London 2012 games.

Weston Homes, the company behind the Morello Quarter development in Cherrydown East, Basildon, gave the young athlete £1,000 to help with his travelling costs to the club from his Hertfordshire home.

Bob Weston, managing director and founder of the company, became a key supporter of Max when the 19 year-old helped launch the development in 2010.

He said: “Weston Homes is so pleased to be associated with Max as he not only made Olympic history – he has left a legacy for sporting excellence in Essex. It comes as no surprise that Max has been awarded Sports Personality of the Year – I have found him to be very modest despite his great success and talent. Max, you’ve made your sponsors, coaches and family very proud. Well done.”

The Essex Sports Personality of the Year awards, which took place at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium, saw Max beat off stiff competition from the likes of team GB hockey player Chloe Rogers and Harlow-based shooting star James Huckle.

Speaking at the time of the event, Max said: “It really is a nice way to round off the year. To get awards like this really means a lot to me. I have had so much backing from Basildon and my home town.

“All the support that we got through the Olympics and that I am still getting now is just unbelievable and I really appreciate that.”

The South Essex Gymnastics Club member made history when he and his teammates won bronze in the team gymnastics competition at this years Olympics, the first British medal since 1912.

Max also impressed in the individual pommel horse final, picking up another bronze.