PETE Sheridan, sixth-dan black belt, has been honoured by his ­martial arts peers by being inducted into the UK Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Pete has been honoured for his commitment and dedication to teaching martial arts to his community.

Founder and ­president of the World United Martial Arts Federation, master Richard Hopkins, nominated Pete ­personally and thanked the Kingsbridge-based fighter for his promotion of kick-boxing and helping younger participants to establish ­themselves in the sport.

It is an elite award that will be presented at Aston Villa FC’s ground Villa Park on February 4 next year.

The venue means the award has even more meaning to Pete, who is a lifelong Aston Villa fan.

The awards are being ­televised by Sky Sports and the BBC and a ­possible list of VIPs include new Villa manager Roberto di Matteo and violinist and Villa fan Nigel Kennedy.

This will be Pete’s fourth Hall of Fame award since 1999, which is a great achievement on its own.

Pete said: ‘I’ll be very privileged to accept this award and I’m really excited to be given it at Villa Park, which really means a massive amount to me personally. There are rumours of Prince William attending, which would be another great honour.

‘I’m well pleased to have done Kingsbridge proud. It’s not easy doing what we do as instructors and sportsmen and recognition is always valued.’

Pete has been ­training for 38 years, gaining more than 70 national and international ­tournament wins along the way, ­including winning the European Cup in 2004 and two World ­silver medals.

He has also coached local fighters to world level, including World Junior and Adult European Champion Kaylee Hollingsworth and World Junior silver medallist Connaire Sheridan, while his new team, Panther Claw Clan, were winners at the British Championships.