ST HELENS rugby legend Ray French was at the Palace Of Westminster on Monday as a guest at the annual dinner of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group, now celebrating its 25th year since formation.

The former Cowley teacher, who played both union and league at international level and had spells playing for Saints and Widnes RL clubs, received the Geoff Lofthouse Award named after one of the late founders of the Group and its long-serving Chairman.

The veteran broadcaster was presented with the Award by Group Chairman, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, who praised Ray’s “longevity, inimitable delivery and ability to bring the game to life and draw people in the game through his work across all mediums and tireless promotion of the game.”