A CHORISTER has been recognised with a special medal for his long service.

David Brooks, 77, of Casterton, received the Royal School of Church Music gold award having been a chorister for 70 years.

It was presented to him by the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Reverend James Newcome.

It marks a notable life-long dedication to church singing for the Durham-born Mr Brooks, who has lived in Casterton for the last 35 years.

He started as a choir boy at the age of seven for his local parish church - progressing to become a chorister at the hallowed Durham Cathedral, where his father was a professional tenor and lay clerk.

Locally, he started at Greenside Choir under Madge Hine and also sang with the Carlisle Cathedral Choir, and went on tours to Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Holland. Furthermore, he was a regular with Kendal Parish Church and parish churches in Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth and Appleby.

Mr Brooks quipped: "I'm very honoured to have been awarded it - but I feel I've worked for it as I've been a singer all my life!"

Mr Brooks, a former Independent councillor on South Lakeland District Council and who also served on Casterton Parish Council, said his favourite hymn was English composer's Dr Harold Edward Darke's version of In The Bleak Midwinter.