An Oswestry resident and former headteacher in north Shropshire has been given a prestigious award by Rotarians.

Whitchurch Rotary Club awarded its Paul Harris Fellowship Award to former Prees Primary School headteacher Derek Harrison at special evening meeting on January 30 in Calverhall.

Rotarians thank the musically talented Derek for his unfailing enthusiastic support over about 35 years at a variety of events but especially the annual two-day May concert in the Civic Centre.

Derek, an honorary member, is the first local person in 40 years to receive this prestigious award for outstanding service to the world wide Rotary movement. At present there have been 22 Whitchurch recipients since 1978.

He was headteacher from the late 1970s until 1993 and often engaged his pupils.

He held a variety of local musical presentations including the Whitchurch festivals, the Roy Castle Cancer fund raising concert in May 1980, and then full annual support in May for Rotary by soloists, recorders and key board players from the school - all accompanied by Derek at the piano.

He also involved himself in many Little Theatre Group productions. Upon retirement his boundless energy saw him continue his involvement with the rotary concerts, accompanying sing alongs and other events.