At a special ceremony, attended by a large audience of family and friends, preceding Looe Town Council's April meeting, Mr Terry Wright, was made the Citizen of the Year , carrying on from soon to be Olympic marathon runner, Marian Sutton.

Terry, who has had a kidney transplant, is well known for his phenomenal success in the Transplant Games, winning medals of every colour.

After receiving the shield and a Looe Festival of the Sea sweatshirt, from the mayor and mayoress Dave and Annette Bryan, he thanked Dave and Lyn Holford for nominating him, which he said he knew nothing about until the call to tell him he had been selected.

He said his wife Hilary had been born in Looe and he moved to the town 34 years ago. 'I never believed then that one day I would be called upon to be Citizen of the Year' he said. 'When I had my transplant operation I received over 100 cards which shows the special kind of place Looe is. I feel very honoured. I also specially want to thank my donor family as without them I wouldn't be here accepting this award today'.

Terry said he was disappointed Marian Sutton was not able to be present, as she was still travelling back from duties at the London Marathon, but he paid tribute to her and said she had been and still is a wonderful ambassador for the town. 'I hope to do as well and will be willing to take part in whatever I am asked' he said.

The mayor said the nominations had all been of a very high calibre but felt that Terry's achievements were a role model for the town's young people to look up to. 'I would urge everyone to carry a kidney donor card' he said.