YORK divers are celebrating after receiving a special award.

Members of the Excalibur Sub Aqua Club were presented with a special

certificate of achievement at a gala dinner in York, attended by George Brookes from Excalibur's parent body, the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC).

A contemporary of famous underwater explorer Jack Cousteau, Mr Brookes, now 83, regaled club members at the dinner with stories of his first breaths underwater in the 1930s - using a gas mask and pumped up car tyre.

He was a founder member of the BSAC, which is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Presenting the certificate, Mr Brookes, chief awards adjudicator and former BSAC chairman, said: "Scuba diving as a sport has come a long way in 50 years. It's thanks to clubs like Excalibur that more and more people are now able to experience the thrill of diving. "Excalibur's outstanding award entry demonstrates their considerable achievements."

Excalibur chairman Angus Carlisle said: "All our members have pulled together to make Excalibur what it is today, one of the country's top dive clubs. There are over 1,600 BSAC branches out there doing an excellent job promoting the sport of diving in the UK, we are pleased to do our part and delighted that our efforts have been recognised."

Updated: 10:38 Tuesday, April 22, 2003