A HOW Caple farmer has won a national award after years of dedication to point-to-point racing.

Arthur Bellamy, has been named as the national winner of the Cynthia Higgon Award for outstanding services to Point-to-Pointing.

Bellamy, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, has been involved in almost every aspect of organising racing ‘between the flags’ for seven decades.

He was stunned to hear of the accolade, professing to be ‘chuffed to bits’ at the recognition.

Area Secretary, Liz Morgans, who nominated Bellamy for the coveted award, was delighted at his success.

Morgans said: "Arthur has happily held just about every position with various point-to-points including steward, judge, course preparer and chairman.

"You name it, Arthur’s done it for so many years now, and has never expected any reward.

"It’s important that such dedication is recognised by the Point-to-Point Authority. It’s very special too that Ludlow Racecourse, who support the sport so well, have offered that the presentation should be made there on a raceday.”

Arthur, grandfather of National Hunt jockey, Tom Bellamy, will receive his trophy at the Ludlow meeting on Monday, November 25, when a race will be named in honour of his achievement.

This is the second occasion that a Herefordshire man has been given the prestigious award, Kilpeck man, Dick Pike having been the 2015 recipient for his outstanding services to the sport.