AMIR Hussain became only the third player in the 84-year history of the Bury and District Table Tennis League to win both the juniors and open singles titles its recent finals night, held at Elton Vale Sports Club.

The 12-year-old star of the Ramsbottom Town Table Tennis Club won the junior title without dropping a game, beating Max Brooks 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 in the semi-finals and Zac Cantor 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 in the final.

Young Amir dropped his first game of the evening in the open semis before beating three-time champion Mark Ramsbottom 3-1, then had to fight through a nail-biting final against Ramsbottom team-mate Andy Jackson before finally winning 4-3.

The talented young table tennis player was twice pegged back in the best-of-seven final against Jackson, a three-time finalist, losing a 2-0 and 3-2 advantage before storming to an 11-2 win in the deciding game.

Victory in the open singles was the crowning achievement in what has been an unprecedented season for the schoolboy, who also won the open doubles title.

He is only the third person to win the junior and open singles titles and the doubles crown in the same year and the first to achieve this feat since 1980.

It is also the first time in 26 years the same person has won the junior and open singles titles, the last of which was Rob Faulkner.

Rob's mum, Marlene Faulkner, who was the league's match secretary between 1998 and 2006, just happened to be guest of honour on the night and presented Amir with his trophies.

Big things are expected of the 12-year-old, who has been coached and encouraged from an early age by his dad Khamal, who also plays for Ramsbottom.

He has twice attended training camps in China alongside some of the world's top players and has recently been awarded a scholarship by Table Tennis England, opening the way for a future place in the national team.

Also on the night, Ben Armstrong, of Burning Desire, came from behind after losing the first game of the super veterans final to beat Ian Quinn, of Carlton Club, 3-1.

There was also a special double presentation made by Andrea Holt, Table Tennis England development officer, to two of the league's most widely respected characters.

Bryan Edwards, aged 81, received TTE's National Unsung Hero Award, while Keith Warrington, who has recently battled back from suffering a broken neck in a walking accident, was given TTE's National Volunteer of the Year Award.

Both men have given years of service to the Ramsbottom Table Tennis Academy, helping the small junior club hone the talents of the region's brightest young players, including the league's current triple champion Amir.

Finals night results

Junior semi finals (best of five): Amir Hussain beat Max Brooks 11-8, 11-8, 11-6; Zac Cantor beat Daniel Olsberg 11-5, 3-11, 11-8, 11-9.

Junior final (best of five): Amir Hussain beat Zac Cantor 11-7, 11-7, 11-4

Open singles semi-finals (best of five): Amir Hussain beat Mark Ramsbottom 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8; Andrew Jackson beat Majid Tubbasum 11-4, 11-3, 11-9.

Open singles final (best of seven): Amir Hussain beat Andrew Jackson 11-7, 11-10, 8-11, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-2.

Super veterans final (best of five): Ben Armstrong beat Ian Quinn 8-11, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7.