A Wharfedale MP has been nominated for the Sports Parliamentarian Of The Year award for the second year running.

Greg Mulholland, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group, was nominated for the honour by the Rugby Football League.

Set up in 2011, the award recognises the efforts of Parliamentarians who have worked hard with local individuals and groups to promote and protect sport.

Mr Mulholland is the vice president of the Leeds Rugby Foundation, a vice-president of BARLA, president of the Leeds Akkies, and the founder and club captain of rugby league team the Political Animals.

He has also suppported local athletes, like Otley's Olympic silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead, through the tabling of Early Day Motions and helped Pool AFC secure the funding it needed to create new changing rooms.

Mr Mulholland also came up with the idea for the Be Inspired, Get Involved campaign, which aims to use the enthusiasm generated at the London 2012 Olympics to increase participation in grassroots sport.

He said: "It is a great honour to be nominated for the award for the second year running, and fantastic to receive recognition for the work I have put in to support a number of sports, locally and nationally.

Niel Wood, acting communications director at the Rugby Football League, said: “Greg is passionate about all sports, but particularly rugby league.

“We are fortunate to have an MP with such a commitment and we are delighted to see he has once again been shortlisted for this prestigious honour”