A KEEN sailor has navigated his way to the semi-finals of a nationwide sailing competition.

Local enthusiast, David Clarke from Hilton, near Darlington, has been honoured as an unsung sailing hero in The Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Awards, an annual competition that commends Britain’s sailing communities.

The 55-year-old, who is one of thirty national semi-finalists, was nominated by Ullswater Yacht Club for the outstanding level of commitment he has given to the club throughout his youth.

In 2013, Mr Clarke used his passion and initiative to create the club’s sailing school facility, which has since trained more than 1,200 individuals from local schools, scouts and community organisations.

To recognise his service he was presented with a Maritime Heroes Awards certificate and a bottle of the award winning whiskey.

Margaret Mary Clarke of The Old Pulteney said: “Old Pulteney is very proud to name David Clarke as one of our 2016 Maritime Heroes finalists and we wish him the very best of luck for the next stage of the competition. This year’s awards have uncovered some truly outstanding stories of club service, sailing achievement and incredible bravery and it has been a tough field to judge.

“Our thirty finalists are all very deserving of their place on the shortlist and it is a great honour for Old Pulteney to be able to share their inspiring stories and celebrate the achievements of some of the UK’s unsung sailing heroes from coastal communities all over the country.”

The winner will be announced later this month.