TWO men who helped put Newport on the sporting and literary map received honorary fellowships from the University of Wales College, Newport.

Tony Brown, pictured, Newport RFC vice- president and chief executive of Bisley Office Equipment, and author Leslie Thomas received the honour as part of the graduation ceremonies for more than 2,000 students at the university college's Caerleon campus.

The fellowships are given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the economic, educational or social development of the areas constituting the old county of Gwent and also to individuals born in the area who have made the same contribution to the UK or more widely.

Mr Brown received his award for his contribution to Newport's rugby scene. Since his involvement with the 'Black and Ambers' the club has become the most family-orientated club in Wales, the average attendance at games has rocketed from not more than 1,000 three years ago to more than 7,000 last season when it won the final of the Principality Cup by beating Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale.

Leslie Thomas, the Newport-born novelist and author of Virgin Soldiers and numerous other books, received his award on Thursday.

The vice-president of children's charity Barnado's, and a Barnado's Boy himself, said being awarded the honorary fellowship was "lovely".

He said: "Having left school at 14 and then going on to train as a bricklayer in Barnado's, it's an honour to get something like this."

On Friday, an award was given to Dr Clive Day, MBE, former dean of international affairs at UWCN, and on Saturday, Elwyn Tudno Jones, former chairman of the board of governors of the college, was honoured.