A young inventor, an inspirational teacher and a triathlete joined Bradford pop star Kimberley Walsh in receiving top honours at an awards ceremony last night.

Girls Aloud star Kimberley was named Personality of the Year at the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards, set up to recognise the accomplishments of people in the region under the age of 35.

Inventor Emily Cummins, 24, of Cross Hills, Keighley, scooped the Achievement in Management and Enterprise award.

Her latest creation is a sustainable refrigerator, powered by dirty water, which keeps medicines or small food items clean, dry and cool. Townships across southern Africa have been given the design plans to help people build their own refrigerators.

She has also invented a water carrier which can be used to carry multiple loads, and a toothpaste dispenser for people with arthritis.

Bradford Academy teacher Liam Gilbert took home the Achievement in Education award. The 22-year-old was taken on by Teach First, an education charity which recruits graduates to teach in challenging schools Now teaching English in Bradford, he helped a group of youngsters reach the US finals of an international problem solving competition.

The Achievement in Sport award went to triathlete Alistair Brownlee, 22, of Horsforth. He took the 2009 world championship title, and overcame a leg injury to be crowned national champion this year. He is training for the Olympic Games.

The Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation was established earlier this year to distribute funds raised by the awards.

Peter McCormick, senior partner at McCormicks Solicitors, which sponsored the event, said: “We were overwhelmed by the level of support for the new charity and immensely grateful for the commitment of both our guests and our sponsors. “It was fantastic to hear the stories of young people who have triumphed.”