Boys’ Brigade member Ben Nicholson has been awarded the organisation’s top award.

Ben, a staff sergeant in the Dearham Company, was given the Queen’s Award for efforts including completing more than 70 hours of volunteering with the Children’s Society and raising more than £300 for Team Evie in a sponsored one-mile swim at Windermere.

Ben, of Crosby, has also regularly helped instruct in company badge work, completed 30 hours of rugby training and worked towards gaining a driving licence.

He was among 20 young people who were presented with their awards by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith in a ceremony near Oldham.

Ben, who is studying to become an accountant at Carlisle College, has been a member of the Dearham Company for 13 years and hopes to return as a helper after his studies.

He said: “I have really enjoyed my years with the company which has given me confidence and taught me a lot about loyalty. I appreciate the work which the captain does for us and although I am taking time out for my studies I would like to return one day.”

Company Captain Paul Gilmour said. “His commitment, enthusiasm and hard work has made Ben a very worthy winner of the brigade’s number one award.”