Preston Olympic athlete awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year's honours list

And throughout those 60 years, he has represented Great Britain and won two bronze medals at the 1966 Commonwealth Games.

But his achievements don't stop there - having trained many athletes that have since gone on to be Olympic medal winners and spending 16 years as a British Athletics National Coach.

Now, the 79-year-old, who lives in Cottam, has been named on the New Year's Honours list with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his achievements.

He said: "It feels absolutely incredible to have my name put forward but I just wish my dad was here to see all this. I would have loved for him to have seen it.

"It is a really great honour. I received awards last year for my work as a volunteer with the England Athletics North West Service, and this just tops it off.

"It is humbling to have been recognised by people outside athletics too. I didn't expect any of this because I have got all the satisfaction I need and the honour from working with athletes up to Olympic level.

"I get the same satisfaction from training a youngster up to a county medal, it is an honour to be a part of their journey."

Peter added that he "doesn't know how to stop working" because athletics is all he has ever known - first competing at just aged six.

Originally born in Yorkshire, he has lived in Cottam, Lancashire for the past 40 years.

Since becoming a coach in 1960, he has coached over 20 international athletes across events including 400m hurdles, long jump and triple jump.

And in 2019, he was awarded the England Athletics North West Service to Athletics Award, the England Athletics National Lifetime Achievement Award and the Preston Sports Award for Services to sport, in the same year.

As his time as a national coach, he had responsibility for coach education, specifically in the North West and also contributed to the UK wide National Athletics residential schools and courses.

For more information about the Commonwealth and New Years Honours list, view here.

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