MEMBERS of Warrington Swimming and Water Polo Club have welcomed the news that Dr Alan Boyle has been awarded an MBE.

It is now hoped that the 76-year-old's achievements will inspire others to take part in the sports.

A spokesman for the club said: “Alan deserves the recognition for his endeavours, and hopefully encourages many other volunteers to follow in his footsteps and keep water polo as an active and thriving sport for many generations to come.

"Not only was he a keen swimmer winning ten club championships, he also played in the water polo team for twenty one years.

"Since then he has put a tremendous amount of energy back into the sport, with many management and secretarial roles at club, regional and national levels on swimming and water polo executive committees.

"This commitment was recognised by the club when he was made a life member of the club in 1982 and by the Northern Counties with an award for his services to Water Polo in 2001.

"Since then he has also been granted life member status in all the county, district and regional bodies covering the sport, and been recognised by further awards for his amazing and sustained contributions - all voluntary."