A SAILING star from the Ribble Valley has received recognition for a successful year on the water after being nominated for a national award.

Chris Pickles, 35, has been hailed as a Maritime Hero as part of The Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Awards.

The father-of-one from Langho was nominated by the Delph Sailing Club in Egerton where he sails and is one of 30 finalists to compete for the top prize at a grand final in December.

An engineer by trade, Chris is no stranger to accolades including the ‘Winning Helm’ title at Abersoch Dinghy Week 2014.

He also beat more than 200 boats for the Lord Birkett Trophy at Willeswater 2014, and won the Delphs RS200 with his wife, Laura, by his side as his crew.

Chris, who lives in Whalley Road with his family, said: "It came out of the blue to be honest and the first I knew was when I got a letter through the door.

"It's great to get a bit of national recognition and it also gives a bit of publicity for the club as well as the sport.

"I have had a really good year on the water and that's really satisfying.

"It's nice to be nominated and I shall be keeping my fingers crossed on the night."

Now in its third year, the annual awards competition was started to reward the outstanding passion, commitment and achievements demonstrated within Britain’s maritime communities, at both a regional and national level.

To reward his enthusiasm and dedication, the competition's sponsors, Old Pulteney, has already presented Chris with a Maritime Heroes Awards certificate and bottle of its12-year-old single malt.

If successful at the glittering awards night next month, Chris will receive £2,000, a commemorative trophy and a bottle of what has been dubbed the World’s Best Whisky – Old Pulteney 21 Year Old Single Malt.

Senior brand manager at Old Pulteney Margaret Mary Clarke, said: "Old Pulteney is delighted to name Chris as one of our 30 finalists and we wish him the best of luck for the next stage of the competition."