REAL Madrid superstar Gareth Bale was named Welsh Player of the Year for the sixth time at tonight's 26th annual FAW awards, while Newport’s Chris Gunter also took home a prize.

Reading full-back Gunter, who has 76 international caps to his name, scooped the Media Choice Award for his efforts over the past 12 months.

The former Spurs defender, 27, is set to make his 77th appearance for Wales on Saturday when Serbia are the visitors to the Cardiff City Stadium for a crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Gunter, on course to become his country’s first player to 100 caps, was a pivotal member of the Wales squad that took Euro 2016 by storm under boss Chris Coleman.

The firm fans’ favourite has been recognised by the media after helping guide his nation to the semi-finals in France this summer, in what was Wales’ first major championships in 58 years.

While Gunter picked up his award during a glittering Vauxhall-sponsored ceremony at the Vale Resort just outside Cardiff, Bale continued his domination of the top prize in Welsh football.

Joe Allen, in 2012, has been the only player other than Bale to win the player of the year accolade since the latter’s first trophy in 2010.

Tonight saw Bale win the award for the fourth year in a row, and it comes in the wake of the star penning a new six-year deal at the Bernabeu.

It only seems a matter of time before Bale becomes his country’s all-time leading scorer after moving to within three of Ian Rush’s record of 28 international goals.

Bale netted in all three of Wales’ group games at the Euros and has taken that form in front of goal into World Cup qualifying, with a brace against Moldova and one in the Georgia draw last time out.

Allen, meanwhile, was tonight named the Players’ Player of the Year and the Fans’ Player of the Year, with Ethan Ampadu claiming the Young Player of the Year award.

Coleman was given the FAW Special Award and Welsh Premier League Clubman of the Year went to Phil Baker of The New Saints.

In the women’s game, Bronwen Thomas was Young Player of the Year, Sophie Ingle was Players’ Player of the Year and Fans’ Favourite, while Player of the Year went to Natasha Harding.