BRITAIN's first ever Olympic gold medallist will finally have a fitting tribute in the tiny village where he was born.

Shapwick near Wimborne is calling its new village green after Charles Bennett, who won the 1500 metres at the Paris Games in 1900.

The athlete went on to smash two world records in Paris, picking up another gold and a silver in the process.

But although he was known as the foremost middle-distance runner of the day, he was quickly forgotten.

In 2000, in a bid to get some well-deserved recognition for the forgotten hero, Bournemouth Athletics Club (BAC) held a mile race round Shapwick to coincide with the Sydney Olympics.

It was this event which sparked the formation of the community trust which has since raised £35,000 to provide the village with a green and play area.

Trust chairman Margaret Wetenhall said swings and forts had been provided for younger age groups and it was hoped to build a shelter for teenagers in the future.

"Without Charles Bennett we would never have got it off the ground," she said.

"We wouldn't have thought of it. Following that race there was a community spirit that hadn't been around for a long time and there was no community trust, there wasn't a body at all that could do things."

Mrs Wetenhall paid tribute to Brian James of BAC, who was the prime mover of the race but who has since died.

After his Paris triumphs Charles Bennett returned to his job as an engine driver at Bournemouth and on retirement ran Gullivers pub in Kinson - then called The Dolphin.

His grandson Chris Bennett from Bear Cross only discovered his grandfather's grave at Kinson cemetery a few years ago.

"I was only four when my grandfather died but I heard though my father and uncles all about his achievements," he told the Echo.

"Unfortunately the gold medal has been lost but I have many pictures of his trophies."

First published: August 17