Menston's former World Cup marathon champion Richard Nerurkar has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

His MBE was included in the Diplomatic and Overseas Service List and was awarded for his organisation of the TOTAL Great Ethiopian Run.

Richard's parents David and Iris, who live in Newfield Drive, only found out the news on the morning the honours were announced.

David said: "He is based in Addis Ababa and has a new career after he stopped running. We are absolutely thrilled, but haven't been able to get in touch with him yet to congratulate him."

Richard, who has lived in Addis Ababa for nearly three years carrying out aid work with his wife Gail, has seen the event grow since his involvement.

This year was the second year that Richard organised the race, after being approached by former athlete and television presenter Brendan Foster.

Now over 15,000 competitors take part and it has become the biggest road race on the African continent.

David said: "The work he does is wonderful, he has arranged the race twice, and it is growing every time, hopefully next year there will be 20,000 taking part."

Richard's mum Iris said: "Nobody was more surprised that us to find out about Richard, because it was only when a friend rang and said what wonderful news it was that was asked "what wonderful news?"

Richard, who is 39 on Monday, had a distinguished career in distance running culminating in his IAAF World Cup marathon success in 1993. He has also represented Great Britain in the Atlanta and Barcelona Olympics.