A MAN who has devoted a great deal of time to community work has been rewarded for one aspect at a ceremony in London.

Maj William Trotter, who lives at the Deanery in Staindrop, was invested as an officer of the Order of St John at an event held at the Grand Priory church, Clerkenwell, last Friday.

Maj Trotter has been a volunteer for St John Ambulance for five years, holding the post of director while being responsible for ensuring that all the training of first aid and maintenance of vehicles in the county are up to standard. He was admitted as an officer and presented with the insignia by the Prior of the Order of St John, Lord Slynn of Hadley, who was familiar with Durham. He told Maj Trotter what a nice place the county was and expressed concern about the devastation caused by foot-and-mouth disease.

"Maj Trotter, along with 100 other people, is being honoured in recognition of his dedicated and exceptional voluntary service," he said.

Maj Trotter, who attended the investiture with his wife, Virginia, was delighted to be nominated for the award, saying he was proud to be part of the biggest first aid training organisation in the world. Mrs Trotter was pleased to accompany her husband to what she described as a very impressive ceremony.

As well as his work with St John Ambulance, Maj Trotter is a member and former chairman of Staindrop Parish Council and a churchwarden. He also has a seat on the Durham foundation, an endowment foundation from which proceeds from investments go towards worthy causes in the county.