A dedicated volunteer has received a prestigious award for his contribution to the Lake District National Park over the past 20 years.

Helton man, Tony Corbett has won the coveted Bryan Stilling Award for his outstanding dedication to the National Park. Since volunteering 20 years ago Mr Corbett has tackled a range of important projects in all areas. But his main passion has been in working to eradicate the prolific and invasive alien weed, Himalayan Balsam, particularly from the shores of Ullswater.

Mr Corbett has also encouraged many others to join him in his 'balsam crusade'.

"I enjoy my volunteering time with Lake District National Park and long may it continue." He said. "It’s been a fantastic way to meet other like-minded people and really put something back into this beautiful landscape.

I’m greatly honoured to have received this award and would encourage anyone else who is thinking about volunteering to give it a go. You can invest as much or a little time as suits you and absolutely everyone can do something to help with the upkeep of our glorious national park."

Mr Corbett received the Bryan Stilling award at the recent annual gathering of National Park volunteers.