Postmaster 'couldn't be prouder' at Welsh honour

Noel Thomas was locked up for false accounting in 2006 after his books fell short by £48,000

A former sub-postmaster has said he "couldn't be prouder" after receiving a top Welsh honour.

Noel Thomas, 77, from Anglesey, who was wrongly jailed in the Post Office scandal, will be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year's National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Gorsedd of the Bards is an association made up of people who have made a distinguished contribution to the Welsh nation, the language, and its culture.

"Being honoured by the biggest festival in Wales is a great honour for me as a Welshman," said Mr Thomas on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be quite honest, as a Welshman born and bred on Anglesey.

"Being honoured alongside people that I have looked up to and admired over the years, I’m no poet or anything but I’m really, really honoured."

What is the Gorsedd?

The honours are handed out annually at the National Eisteddfod to recognise those that have made a "special contribution to Wales, our language and their local communities all over Wales".

Dating back to 1792, the Gorsedd first became officially associated with the National Eisteddfod at the beginning of the 19th Century, when it was held in the Ivy Bush Inn, Carmarthen.

Members are present on stage during three of the main Eisteddfod ceremonies - dressed in their white, blue and green robes and led by the Archdruid.

Previous inductees include singer Bryn Terfel, actors Ioan Gruffudd and Matthew Rhys, former royal harpist Catrin Finch and ex-Welsh rugby stars Gareth Edwards, Ken Owens and Jonathan Davies.

Rugby player Elinor Snowsill will be honoured at this year's Eisteddfod, taking place in Rhondda Cynon Taf in August

At this year's National Eisteddfod, to be held in Rhondda Cynon Taf in August, a further 49 people will be accepted into the order.

These include Welsh language broadcaster Gerallt Pennant and Josef Gnagbo, an asylum seeker from the Ivory Coast who is chairman of Welsh language group Cymdeithas yr Iaith.

Also being honoured are mother and daughter duo Nerys Howell, a food expert, and her daughter, rugby player Elinor Snowsill, who won 76 caps for Wales, before she retired last year.