Pembrokeshire’s own ‘marathon man’ and charity fund-raiser, David Phillips, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

Mr. Phillips, 75, who divides his time with his family living in Penally and Warwickshire, has clocked up an amazing 500 marathons in the past 37 years, including every London Marathon since 2002.

And in the process of achieving this remarkable feat, he has raised over £135,000 for the Brain and Spine Foundation charity, to support people with neurological problems.

An accountant by trade, Mr. Phillips is a member of the Pembrokeshire Harriers and the Massey Ferguson Runners in Coventry.

On hearing of his award, he said he was pleased someone felt “grateful enough” to put him forward for the honour.

The fundraiser, who is married to Robina, first got into running while a hooker in the first team at Kenilworth Rugby Club.

“We saw a thing advertising the Coventry Marathon and we said we would do it,” he said.

“It was a Saturday night in the bar, we had not a clue how far it was, where it was, what to wear, but two out of the five of us actually did it.

“Then I found one in Stratford-upon-Avon, one in Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton and suddenly you find them all over place.”

David has met Olympic athlete and sports presenter Colin Jackson through his charity work.

Mr Phillips said it was “a joy’ to run for a charity that helped people with neurological problems.

“For someone to say thank you for this... I am pleased from a personal point of view but I would be very pleased even if it hadn’t happened.

“It is not something I deserve, I love doing all these things.”