ONE man’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of mariners has helped him sail away with a top honour in a nationwide nautical competition.

David Clarke, 55, from Darlington, was announced as this year’s 'Maritime Hero' after being nominated by his friends and colleagues for his years of dedication to the sailing community.

After visiting Ullswater Yacht Club, in the Lake District, as a child during the early 1970s, Mr Clarke fell in love with nautical life and joined the club as a teenager in 1975.

Since then, the Darlington man has sailed and competed all over the UK, but his proudest achievements in volunteering and helping to establish the Ullswater Sailing School, have been rewarded by a panel of judges.

Mr Clarke collected his prize, part of the fifth annual Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Awards, after a unanimous vote to recognise his years of service.

Mr Clarke said he was "thrilled" to win the award, adding: “It is an honour, although the win is really in recognition of all our member volunteers who have worked so hard to make the Sailing School so successful, and Ullswater Yacht Club such a great club.”

The 55-year-old met his wife, Clare, while the pair were sailing at the club as teenagers and their three children, Alex, Edmund and Freya, have followed in their father’s footsteps to become sailing instructors.

Mr Clarke was originally nominated in the Club Service category of the prestigious awards for his role as centre principal and director of Ullswater Yacht Club.

However, the contest judges, which included the editor of Yachting Life Magazine and the Old Pulteney brand team, selected Mr Clarke as the 2016 overall winner.

Margaret Mary Clarke, Old Pulteney senior brand manager, said: “Each year, our hope with these awards is to uncover and celebrate some of the unsung heroes of the maritime world, from sailing communities right across the UK.

“In David we have found yet another truly worthy winner, and we are delighted to see him take this year’s top prize.

“David’s efforts and dedication to sailing and to Ullswater Yacht Club and Sailing School epitomise the spirit of the awards and have made such a positive impact on so many people over the years.

“Our congratulations go to him for all that he and his Club have achieved.”

Old Pulteney presented Mr Clarke with a prize cheque for £1,000, a personalised crystal whisky decanter, and a bottle of Old Pulteney 21-Year-Old.

As a finalist, Mr Clarke has already received a club prize of £1,000 to give to Ullswater Yacht Club, and a commemorative trophy.