A FORMER teacher at King Edward VIII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, who travelled to London to compete for a national lifetime achievement award was stranded this week due to train problems and floods -- and he didn't even win the prize.

Ron Naylor, who retired from the school in August after 41 years, was at the Millennium Dome on Sunday for the teaching Award 2000 after winning a lifetime achievement award in June for his work in the North West.

Principal of the school, Julian Wilde, said Mr Naylor travelled down to London on Friday with his wife Miriam and was put in a hotel at St Catherine's dock. On Saturday they had a series of workshops in which teachers exchanged ideas, followed by a gala dinner. The actual awards ceremony was held on Sunday, hosted by TVs Davina McCall, but Ron didn't win the national award. Mr Wilde said: "It was a little disappointing but at the end of the day, for Ron to be considered for a national teaching award was very, very good."

The top award for lifetime achievement ended up going to a teacher from a school in South Wales, but Ron was heading for even more disappointment.

Mr Wilde said: "He and Miriam went to Euston on Monday to get the train home, but because of the torrential rain and storms the trains weren't running and they couldn't make it back." They slowly returned north on Tuesday amid delays and track speed limits.

Mr Wilde added: "I couldn't make it to the awards because of the train cancellations, and Ron couldn't make it back! At the end of the day, though, Ron told me it was a tremendous weekend and I think the whole process has been a very good experience for all of us here at the school. It has made me realise that it is important to praise my teachers and not take them for granted."