KENT youngster Vanisha Patel missed out on a top honour at the British Asian Sports Awards at the Hilton Hotel in London.

The 15-year-old Charlton Athletic footballer, from Chatham, was short-listed in the Female Under-18 Sports Personality of the Year category but missed out on her third prize in four years, to Martial Arts rival Nischele Patel.

Vanisha rubbed shoulders with leading sports stars, including boxer Amir Khan, who pipped cricketer Monty Panesar for the night’s top award, Strictly Come Dancing winner and Surrey batsman Mark Ramprakash, and Amir’s cousin, Lancashire and England fast bowler Sajid Mahmood.

Mum Margaret said: “We had a great night, but obviously it would have been better if we had won. Thanks to everyone who supported Vanisha, we just needed more votes.”