ONE of Britain's greatest ever rugby league players is set to return to the scene of some of his greatest performances...to honour a top team of Wigan council employees.

Martin Offiah will present the council's 'team of the year' prizes at a glittering awards ceremony on Friday, January 28.

The awards showcase the achievements and hard work of Metro staff, and recognise how they have led to continuing improvements in services for the borough's residents.

But before that, Martin will spend a full day in Wigan meeting dance students and junior sports leaders, taking part in a schools' radio interview and attending a children's rugby festival.

The day starts with a visit to Fred Longworth School in Tyldesley for a schools radio interview about his life and career. A series of dance classes will follow, including a boys' dance group rehearsing for a performance at the Lowry.

Golborne High School is next on the agenda. Here Martin will present prizes for an inter-school 'Supakids' competition before meeting junior sports leaders. Then it's on to Lowton High for lunch with PE staff at this newly designated Sports College. After lunch Martin will visit Abraham Guest High School in Orrell for a children's rugby festival, before dropping in on a series of dance taster sessions at Robin Park.

In the evening he will present the council's team of the year awards at Wigan Investment Centre.

He scored over 500 tries in his career with Wigan, Widnes, London Broncos and Salford. One of only two players to have won the Lance Todd Trophy twice, he has also represented Great Britain with distinction, as well as playing union for the Barbarians, England students, Roslyn Park, Bedford and more recently London Wasps.

Since hanging up his boots he has become a popular TV and radio celebrity - most recently in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing - as well as appearing on a variety of sporting and quiz shows and in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.