A TEESSIDE father has told of his pride for his son, who has received an Army medal after 25 years' service.

Captain Mark Gamble-Thompson has been awarded the Napier Medal 2002 in recognition of his service to his regiment and as regimental careers management officer.

Now his parents, Harry and Yvonne, from New Marske, have told of their pride in the former Bydales School pupil's career.

Mr Gamble-Thompson said his son, who serves in the Royal Artillery, has also been awarded his British Army Vest for cross country and marathon running, having finished sixth in the country in a marathon in Manchester in October.

Mr Gamble-Thompson, who himself hit the headlines when he broke the UK half-marathon record in the 62-year-old category, in 1993, said: "This has been a good year for Mark. He has seen a lot of service in his career, having served three tours of Northern Ireland, one in Bosnia and one in Cyprus."

Capt Gamble-Thompson is married to Beverley and the couple have two children, Lewis and Hannah.