Oldham's champion cyclist Matt Walls received his MBE from Prince William at Windsor in a special ceremony last week.

The 24-year-old Olympian from Shaw, who picked up gold and silver at last year's delayed games in Tokyo, attended the royal event with his mother Lorraine, sister Rachael, and his girlfriend, Fleur.

Speaking after the ceremony, his father Larry Walls said: “What a fantastic day celebrating such a prestigious occasion with all our family in a Royal Palace. 

“We are all so proud of what Matt has achieved at such a young age. 

“To win a Gold and Silver medals at his first Olympic games is really is something special, and something he has dreamed of since he was 10 years old."

In an interview last year he revealed to Jonny Bray of Sportsbeat that Oldham was “the secret ingredient” behind his searing cycling rise.

He said: “I wouldn’t have started cycling if the community wasn’t there.

“I had the support of my secondary school when I started racing competitively - they let me skive off school a few times. 

“Oldham was massive for me – I started cycling seriously because I was able to do a triathlon at primary school which I imagine is pretty rare. 

“Teachers went out of their way to help me pass my studies and catch up later on because I’d be so far behind after a week away racing.  

“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without all that support from the community.”  

Earlier this year, the cyclist was involved in a crash at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham when he was catapulted over barriers into the crowds at the Lee Valley VeloPark trying to avoid a pileup on the track.

A team of medics worked on his injuries for 40 minutes as the audience was evacuated from the area.

He had 10 stitches inserted in a wound to his forehead. 

After the crash, he tweeted: “I’ve somehow come away with no serious injuries just a few stitches and pretty banged up.!

"I really hope everyone else involved is ok including the spectators that may have been injured.”