MATTHEW Langridge, the first athlete from Northwich to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games, has been rewarded in the New Year honours list.

The rower, who helped Team GB’s men’s eight to victory in Rio, receives an MBE for services to his sport.

Langridge, 33, is a four-time Olympian after collecting a silver medal in Beijing in 2008 and then a bronze in London – also as part of a men’s eight – four years later.

He made his debut in Athens as a 21-year-old.

All of the members of the men’s eight, including Andrew Triggs Hodge and Pete Reed who will be appointed as OBEs, were honoured in a list published on Friday night.

Olympians and Paralympians make up 10 per cent of the names that appear.

Sporting stars like Langridge, who learned to row at Northwich Rowing Club while a student at Hartford High School, are recognised not just for their excellence in competition.

The length of their career achievement, and whether they give back to their chosen discipline or the community, is considered too.

Indeed Langridge, now living back in his home-town, began working at Grange School in Hartford last month as an elite rowing coach.

“It is fantastic to see our Olympic champions recognised for their achievements,” said Sir David Tanner CBE, British Rowing’s performance director.

“Their performances in Rio helped place Great Britain as the top rowing nation, and were the culmination of four years’ exceptional dedication and hard work."

Watch again - how Matthew Langridge claimed Olympic gold