THE wife of an iconic Olympic athlete has joined her husband in having a road named in her honour.

May Hill, 79, was surprised to discovered she has had a road in Accrington named after her just streets along from her husband’s road namesake ‘Ron Hill Way’.

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Olympic marathon runner, clothing entrepreneur and Freeman of Hyndburn Ron Hill, has been married to May who used to live in Church, for 55 years.

The couple met in the old Joe Mortimer’s dance hall in Blackburn Road, just a short walk from where the two have streets named after them.

May said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. It’s unbelievable. Just wait until I tell my granddaughter.

“I never dreamed anything like this would happen, it’s really nice.”

She was surprised to see the newly placed street sign for ‘May Hill Close’, as she thought she was accompanying Ron, on a visit to the Acorn Park site to see the developments there.

Mary was born in Oswaldtwistle and lived on Henry Street when she first met Ron, when he was 17.

Ron, 78, was born in Dale Street, just 400 metres from the street which is named after him.

Ron Hill Way was opened in 2014 as part of the £55million regeneration scheme off Blackburn Road.

The plan to name a street after his wife also came a surprise to Ron when he first found out, and he had to keep the news a secret before the unveiling of the sign yesterday.

He said: “I only found out when I got a letter from the council saying it was going to happen.

“We are thrilled, as we both have so many memories of Accrington, and are proud of the town.”

Ron Hill way is part of a development built on Acorn Park two years ago and May Hill Close forms part of the latest phase of a further 103 homes.

Ron competed at three Olympic games and won marathon gold medals at the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games. He was also the first Brit to win the Boston Marathon and was only the second man in the world to break two hours and 10 minutes in the marathon.

Cllr Clare Cleary, said: “We thought this would be a lovely idea to name this street May Hill Close, after Ron Hill Way was named in honour of Ron.

“The couple are such supporters of Accrington and extremely proud of their roots.”