Olympic legend Ron Hill has officially unveiled a street named after him.

Former Springhill and Accrington Grammar School pupil Ron said the new Ron Hill Way in Accrington was a 'phenomenal' honour and an 'unbelievable gesture'.

Ron, 75, said: “It's absolutely brilliant and a real honour. I never expected anything like this.

“Looking back to my early days in Accrington is just phenomenal.

“Back in those days you had back to back houses with no gardens and some might have a yard at the back. It's just a major improvement.

“I haven't been offered one of the houses yet but the thought has crossed my mind.”

Ron Hill Way, off Blackburn Road, has been built as part of a £55m partnership between Keepmoat and Hyndburn Council to breathe new life into west Accrington with the construction of 500 high-quality new homes.

Ron said: “I'm very proud to be part of this regeneration scheme for west Accrington as I was born only 400 metres away from this street.
“When I was young I was inspired by a comic book character called Alf Tupper, a working class underdog who used to appear in The Rover and The Victor comics. I never imagined I'd have any success myself, I just loved to run.”

Ron was joined at the unveiling by his wife of 53 years May Hill.

She said: “It's absolutely great and lovely. I used to live in Church although my house is no longer there.

“I cant believe there are so many houses here. It's nothing like it used to be.

“It looks absolutely fantastic and it's wonderful then have named a street after Ron after all these years.”

Keepmoat has so far built 134 new homes as part of Acorn Park and was granted planning permission earlier this year for a further 103 homes with construction work expected to start soon.

James Gallagher, head of technical at Keepmoat, said: “We believe Ron Hill Way will play a big part in regenerating West Accrington with affordable, high-quality housing.
“Over many decades Ron Hill has helped to put Accrington on the map, so it's only right that Accrington puts Ron on the map in return.”