THE host for this year’s Burnley Community Sports Awards is one of the country’s most successful athletes, Roger Black, MBE.

A former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist, Black is coming to Burnley to help recognise and celebrate the contributions of local people and communities to sport.

Paul Foster, head of development at Burnley Leisure, said: “It is with great pleasure we announce athletics legend Roger Black as the host and guest speaker for our 10th annual Community Sports Awards ceremony.

“Following the success of last year’s Sports Awards, 2016’s event is set to be bigger, better and once again full of Olympic glory.”

For 14 years Roger represented Great Britain with his greatest achievement in his career was winning the Olympic 400 metre silver medal in 1996.

The British sprinter has collected a mixture of silver and gold from the 400m and the 4x400m relays through several appearances at the Commonwealth Games, European Championships and World Championships.

He was awarded the MBE in 1992 in recognition of his sporting achievements.

After hanging up his spikes for the last time Roger has worked in media as a presenter for the BBC News, and BBC Sport, covering the 2000 Sydney Olympics, amongst other global sporting championships.

Nominations for Burnley Community Sports Awards will be open soon and further information will be available online at www.burnleyleisure.co.uk or by calling 01282 477167.

All shortlisted nominees will be invited to the awards ceremony at Burnley Mechanics Theatre on July 21.