A TOP award have been given in Wales to a sports lecturer originally from Penryn.

Dave Cobner was given the Outstanding Services to Welsh Sport prize at the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame Dinner during a ceremony on Friday at the SWALEC Stadium, home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club.

The hall has more than 100 famous athletes and administrators to have, including rugby legend Gareth Edwards and 1964 Olympic long jump champion Lynn Davies, who presented Cobner with his award.

Alongside him, just two others in the last 26 years have been presented the gong, former President of the British Boxing Board of Control Lord Brookes and hockey player Ceri O’Donnell.

For the last 37 years, Cobner, who's father John was a legendary player for Penryn RFC, has been a lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

His time there has included a 20 year stint as Dean of the Cardiff School of Sport and also as director of sport at the university.

Cobner, who is retiring in July, was praised for his vision in developing one of the largest and most successful sports departments in the UK.

In a citation read at the ceremony, former Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "Every now and then we come across a compelling case of someone who has provided outstanding service to Welsh Sport that might not merit inclusion on our exclusive Roll of Honour, but we feel certainly needs to be recognised.

"For the past 37 years he has lectured, inspired and fought for better facilities for his students.

"Countless champions from a whole array of sports have benefitted from his tireless work."