HE'S been arrested on anti-war protests, went to prison rather than pay court fines for them, and was grazed by a bullet while championing the cause of Palestinians in a West Bank refugee camp.

But last night Bedwas's Ray Davies, 81, was on home turf in Caerphilly county being given an award in recognition of his six decades of service to the Labour Party.

The party's deputy leader Harriet Harman travelled to Llanbradach bowls club to reward the CND Cymru stalwart, Cor Cochion member and Caerphilly councillor.

He has been a member of the Labour Party for 61 years, and has been a councillor on authorities including Bedwas, Trethomas and Marchen Urban District Council, the former Monmouthshire county council, Mid Glamorgan council and Caerphily since 1963.

Cllr Davies was presented with a merit award certificate by Ms Harman who called him a committed "firebrand" and said: "News of his tremendous activities, energy and campaigning has reached all the way to London."

Cllr Davies said although he felt there were more deserving recipients, he was "tremendously proud."

Watching the ceremony were Cllr Davies' wife Wendy Lewis and their sons Carwyn Davies, 16, and Tad Davies, 17.