After last year's UK entrant, Andy Abraham, finished joint-bottom, commentators questioned whether there was any point in the country entering the competition amid allegations of political voting.

BBC: Fifth place Ewen returns 'a hero'

Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott questioned Lord Strathclyde over Prime Minister David Cameron's decision to appoint Andy Coulson as his director of communications.

BBC: Prescott slammed for 'pettiness' over phone hacking

Racing driver Andy Priaulx and Olympics athlete Dale Garland came second and third in the survey of local heroes which questioned 10 to 17-year-olds.

BBC: Le Tissier voted as sporting hero