A HERO of the dramatic rescue of a football team stuck in a cave system in Thailand, has been recognised in his home town of by a bike charity, Bike to the Future.

Gary Mitchell, who now lives in Machynlleth but is a former pupil of Newtown High School has just arrived home after being part of the team of 90 expert divers - 40 from Thailand and 50 from overseas.

They were working in the Tham Luang cave system around the clock to save a football team of 12 boys and their coach who went missing on June 23.

Bike to the Future, project manager, Tom Chandler, said: “What better way is there to recognise and celebrate Gary’s gift of time and knowledge in the Thai cave rescue than giving a bicyle to his son.

“Our volunteers in the workshop gain cycle repair knowledge, they can receive accreditation through Adult Learners Wales and they can demonstrate their work ready skills to potential employers, but most importantly we are helping to raise the profile of cycling.”

Bike to the Future accepts donations of peoples unwanted bicycles and makes them roadworthy again and available as low cost personal transport.

The football team were brought out through the flooded cave system by a team of divers.