A VALLEYS town is celebrating after its favourite son was honoured with a top gong.

Friends and family of Grand Slam-winning rugby coach Mike Ruddock are proudly celebrating news of his OBE in the New Year Honours list in his home town of Blaina.

Malcolm Granville, landlord of the Queen's hotel in Blaina, said there was a tremendous local reaction to the news, which we revealed on Saturday.

He said: "We are all thrilled here. The Queen's Hotel is Mike's local and his mother came in and let us know. It raised a shout in the bar when we found out."

Lifelong friend and sporting colleague Phil Kingsley-Jones said the whole Valleys community was thrilled when they heard about his OBE.

He said: "It's wonderful for Mike and for the area. We always hear how we are one of the most deprived areas in Britain, but there are some tremendous people in these small Valleys villages and Mike is one of them. He's got a lovely personality and a wonderful family behind him."

Although the award is linked to the Wales rugby team's success in last season's RBS Six Nations, Mr Kingsley-Jones thinks it also recognises a wider achievement.

"It is in recognition of all the work he's ever put into the game of rugby and all the young players he coached and helped over the years."

David Morgan is secretary of Blaina rugby club, where Mike Ruddock started his playing days with Blaina youth team, before going on to play for Tredegar, Cross Keys and Swansea.

He said: "The whole club is very proud. I think Mike's a wonderful role model for everyone in rugby.

"He's contributed so much to the Welsh game and to local rugby as a marvellous player and an excellent coach.

"I can't praise him enough."

Local councillor Margaret James said: "He's such a lovely boy and really deserves this. The nicest thing is that he hasn't changed despite his success - he's just as he always was."