AN Olympic champion was the guest speaker at a special dinner and presentation held for a local sportsman.

Dame Mary Peters, who won a gold medal in the 1972 Olympics pentathlon, spoke at the dinner, where Bury-based physical education adviser Keith Boden was presented with a special gift.

Mr Boden, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was presented with a £1,600 wheelchair at the event, organised by Hayward School and held at The Last Drop Village in Bromley Cross.

The Hayward Association raises funds for charity and for the school. Organiser and Hayward School physical education teacher, Sandy Reid used to train with Mr Boden and wanted to help him.

She said: "There were 200 guests at the dinner and we raised £800 from the raffle and auction alone. It was a great success and everyone enjoyed it."

Cross country runner Dawn Samuels raised £500 towards the wheelchair. Other athletes who attended the dinner included ex-rugby league ace Des Drummond, Bolton Wanderers player Gudni Bergsson and Lancashire's new cricket chief Mike Watkinson.