PROFESSOR David Burton “Dai” Smith has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours.

The Barry-based academic received the honour for services to culture and the arts in Wales.

The former Barry Grammar School pupil was the chairman of the Arts Council of Wales from 2007 to 2016.

He studied at Columbia University, New York and the University of Wales, Swansea and from 1969 to 1993 he was a history lecturer at Cardiff, Swansea and Lancaster universities.

He was Professor in the History of Wales at the University of Wales in Cardiff from 1985 to 1992.

He has also held visiting lectureships at universities in Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland and Spain.

In 1993, he joined the BBC as editor of Radio Wales, and in 1994 was appointed as Head of Broadcast (English Language).

Mr Smith was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Glamorgan, in 2000, where he was responsible for developing the university's contributions to the community.

He became the Raymond Williams chairman in the Cultural History of Wales at Swansea University in 2005 and in 2007 he was appointed Arts Council of Wales chairman.

Vale-based South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies congratulated Mr Smith other Vale residents on their honours.

OIympic gold medallist and Dinas Powys resident Hannah Mills was made an MBE and Gweneira Baty of Cowbridge was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community – particularly the elderly and young people – in Cowbridge and Llanblethian.

Mr Davies said: “It is fantastic to see so many Vale residents recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.

“It is quite clear that Hannah, David and Gweneira deserve their awards for the hard work they have put in over many years.

“I’d like to send my congratulations to all those who were recognised, and the best thing is I know they still have plenty more to give.”