HE was the first Welsh athlete to win an Olympic individual medal in field and track events, but for nearly 60 years his achievement was largely overlooked.

Now Gwent marathon runner and Olympic silver medallist Tom Richards has finally taken his place in the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, alongside 90 others, including John Toshack, Colin Jackson and Tanni Grey- Thompson.

Despite taking silver in the marathon at London's 1948 Olympic games, Mr Richards, who died in 1985, remained an unsung hero in Welsh sport, and needed a campaign on his behalf to win the recognition he deserved. A farmer's son from Cwmbran, he moved to London in 1937.

It was Cwmbran's South Wales Argus Grassroots correspondent Eric Edwards who noticed his boyhood hero wasn't in the Welsh Sport Hall of Fame.

"I was always aware of him, but began studying his story in depth a year ago when I found out he wasn't in the hall of fame," said Mr Edwards, 65, of Thornhill Close, Cwmbran.

He enlisted the help of his local councillor to campaign on the athlete's behalf, and wrote to the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagan's, where the hall of fame is housed.

"In fairness to the secretary, he sent a very apologetic letter back which said they would be delighted to honour Tom at a special ceremony," Mr Edwards said.

The Olympic hero was officially inducted at a dinner in Cardiff's City Hall, attended by Welsh Sports Hall of Fame chairman Lord Brooks and First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

His niece Gwyneth Bibby represented the family at the ceremony. "It was lovely to hear Rhodri Morgan refer to Tom has his childhood hero," said Mrs Bibby, 67, of Park Close, Henllys.

Son Tom Richards Jnr, 65, an athletics official and former runner, who lives in London, told the Argus his father was a modest man who didn't keep much memorabilia.

"It's wonderful news to hear he's been included."