TOP ranking police officers turned out to recognise the work of the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO).

The inaugural Rescue Awards not only paid tribute to the team’s invaluable assistance to North Yorkshire Police but saw a special thanks go to Brian Boardman, from Settle, who has volunteered with the group for more than 50 years.

The force has given the CRO £3,000 from a fund financed by the sale of unclaimed property that police recovered from burglaries or seized as a result of criminal investigations.