MANY years of service poured into athletics by Skipton's man of many parts, Roger Ingham, is to be recognised by the sport he has served with such distinction for so long.

Skipton's "Mr Sport" is to receive a North of England Athletics Association Merit Award at a presentation ceremony in Manchester tomorrow.

He was recommended for the prestigious accolade by the North Yorkshire Athletics Association and will collect his award along with other nominees from the Northern counties who have dedicated so much time to the sport.

"Roger is one of the many volunteers without which sport could not exist," says Northern Counties AA administrator, John Temperton. "This as an army of selfless people working hard to help young people develop their sporting skills and doing so in a largely unsung and anonymous way.

"Merit Award is a means of recognising the immense contribution of people like Roger, who put so much time and energy into athletics without expecting any reward."

In fully endorsing the nomination, John Woodcock, Athletics Development Officer for Bradford Met, said: "Roger is a phenomenal worker in all sports. If everyone had his enthusiasm and commitment, we would not have any problems winning Olympic medals."