A HAMPSHIRE hotelier battling cancer has been honoured by his fellow Frenchmen in a ceremony that has boosted his spirits.

Wine expert Gerard Basset has been presented with the second highest accolade awarded by France – the Order of Agricultural Merit – at an emotional ceremony in London.

Gerard was among four members of the wine trade to be presented with Ordre du Mérite Agricole, pictured, by the French ambassador, Jean-Pierre Jouyet.

Founded in 1883 the coveted award is second only to the famous Legion d’Honneur.

The ambassador said: “The Mérite Agricole is highly regarded in France due to the importance of the agricultural and rural community. Therefore I am delighted to present this medal to Gerard, who has done so much to promote French wines.”

Gerard, 60, runs the Hotel TerraVina at Woodlands in the New Forest with his wife Nina.

Speaking after the ceremony at the Kitchen W8 restaurant in Kensington he said: “The final months of 2017 were not easy for me and my family.“Cancer is a debilitating illness and while I continue to fight it with every ounce of energy there have been some difficult times.

“To be recognised by my country of birth for my work, championing the magnificent wines it produces, could not have come at a better time.

“To say it lifted me to receive the Order of Agricultural Merit from the French ambassador is an understatement.

“I am lucky to have a fantastic team at Hotel TerraVina who, along with my family, have been my rock these past few months and as ever I share my success with them.”

Gerard is a former world champion sommelier and the only person to hold three major titles simultaneously - Master of Wine, Master Sommelier and MBA (Wine).

He is currently absent from the hotel after being diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. But Gerard has vowed to beat the disease, telling friends and other wellwishers: “This is just another challenge I will fight head on – and win.”

Born and brought up in France he originally trained as a chef but embarked on a career as a sommelier after moving to the UK in the 1980s.

He won a fistful of awards and in 2010 triumphed at the World Sommelier Championships in Chile.

The following year he was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to the hospitality industry.