A DARLINGTON man has been commended for his selfless support and encouragement to others during his Royal Navy training.

Weapons Engineering Artificer Philip Sanderson, 18, recently completed his basic ten-week training at HMS Raleigh, at Torpoint, Cornwall.

At the end of term prize-giving he was awarded the Chaplaincy Prize.

The former Hurworth Comprehensive School pupil was an engineering apprentice before joining the Royal Navy.

He has now been transferred to HMS Collingwood, in Fareham, Hampshire, to complete further specialist training.