AN award given annually to recognise a person or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to the Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been presented to Peter Standing.

He has managed the Arnside & Silverdale Landscape Trust’s annual events programme since 2010; attracting, entertaining and informing many local people and visitors to the area.

Mr Standing moved to the area in 2007 after a medical career that included 29 years as a GP in Bury.

Since taking on the role, Mr Standing has introduced a popular and well attended annual weekend series of lectures, field trips and exhibitions.

He also launched a ‘Meet the Villages’ weekend rotating around local venues.

"I am honoured but surprised to receive this award," said Mr Standing. "I see it very much as recognition of the importance of the Landscape Trust, and I must stress that I am only one of a team of hard working trust officers.

"My post as events organiser is a great job which has given me the opportunity to meet and learn from an amazing variety of experts on every imaginable aspect of the AONB."