Rick Britton, 56, was one of 16 sports volunteers to be honoured by the Torch Trophy Trust at its awards night in London on November 19.

Rick was nominated for the award by members of the Dan Maskell Tennis Centre Trust, for spending the past 17 years running twice-yearly wheelchair tennis competitions in Nottingham.

He said: "Sir Bobby tapped me on the shoulder afterwards and said, 'Rick, I just have to say well done for all your hard work.'

"That just made my night, it really did."

Sir Bobby is the president of the trust, which provides small bursaries to help volunteers in sport. He was joined by the Duchess of Gloucester in hosting the evening.

The annual awards praise individuals who have been identified as making an outstanding contribution as a volunteer in their chosen sport.

It is entirely run by volunteers, and its trustees are some of the best-known names in sport.