A YORK mariner who has dedicated most of his life to helping young people was celebrating today after winning a major national award for his tireless work.

Sea Cadet Corps Lieutenant Cecil "Tug" Wilson, who has spent more than 50 years passing on his nautical knowledge to members of York Sea Cadet unit, based in Skeldergate, was one of just four people across the UK to scoop a National BT ChildLine Award at a special ceremony at the BT Tower in London. ChildLine chairwoman Esther Rantzen, Animal Hospital's Shauna Lowry, and Graham Cole, who plays PC Tony Stamp in The Bill, presented the awards.

Tug said: "It is a great honour and I'm very proud to have won. When you get to my age, it's something you don't expect. I'll be 80 years old on the last day of December, so this is a nice Christmas present for me."

The former wartime sailor, who worked at the Evening Press for 41 years, was presented with an engraved jade glass award, a cash prize and £2,000 to donate to charity. Tug is giving half to York Sea Cadet Corps and half to Martin House children's hospice.

He was accompanied by his wife, Nancy, and the three cadets who nominated him - Petty Officer Cadet Steve Brown, Petty Officer Cadet Kristin Bryson and Able Cadet James Ireland.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, December 06, 2002