A SCHOOL catering manager who is also a Royal Navy reservists has received two awards for his services to the military.

Iain Campbell, who works at Haslingden High School was presented with a Commendation from the Royal Navy and a Certificate of Merit from the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead.

Although a part-timer, he has cooked at many naval events, the largest of which was for the Battle of the Atlantic 70th commemorations when, together with just one other chef, he catered for around 400 personnel.

Iain, 48, serves with HMS Eaglet based in Liverpool where he heads a team of caterers and his role is known as a Leading Hand. He also plays an important logistics position in military exercises in Scotland supporting a multi-national fleet of sea-born military craft.

His role takes him away from Haslingden High School for three weeks in a year and he said it would not be possible without the support of the school.

Iain, who has been a Royal Navy Reservist for nine years. said: “It is a great honour to receive these awards in recognition of the work that I have done.

“I am also involved in outreach recruitment and am part of a team of four from the Liverpool Naval Headquarters that achieve the highest recruitment in the country."

Colonel Mark Underhill, Chief Executive of the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reservist Forces and Cadets’ Association, said: “The tireless commitment and dedication shown by Leading Hand Campbell to the Royal Naval Reserve, and the contribution he makes to the wider community, is worthy of public recognition and the award of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit.”

Iain was also praised by Rossendale Borough Council deputy mayor, councillor Granville Morris, who is a governor of Haslingden High School.

He said: "I think it's fantastic. He's a very worthy candidate for these awards and a very nice gentleman.

"He runs a tight ship in the kitchen and brings a lot to the school. It's very time-consuming for Iain to be a reservist and the school release him willingly so he can take up those duties.

"Credit where credit's due and I know the school will be delighted for him."