A professional boxer from Cornwall has been given a citizenship award.

Brad Pauls, from Newquay, became the British middleweight champion in July after beating Stoke’s Nathan Heaney in the 12th round of a rematch in Birmingham.

Newquay Town Council on Sunday awarded the 31-year-old a citizenship award for outstanding achievement.

Calling him “a true local hero”, the council said the award “celebrates Brad’s remarkable contributions to our community and his inspiring journey to becoming the British Middleweight Champion”.

Pauls, known as The Newquay Bomb, said he “loves” representing his hometown and it was “a massive honour” to receive the award.

In March, Newquay Town Council awarded a citizenship award for outstanding achievement to professional footballer Katie Robinson and British women’s surging champion Lauren Sandland.