News

A ROYSTON man has been awarded a certificate of recognition from the Royal Life Saving Society - more than 75 years after first training as a lifeguard.

Gordon Smith, who turns 90 this month, has been a volunteer lifesaver since earning his first medal in 1936.

He is an active member of Royston Leisure Centre, visiting the pool daily and still teaches lifesaving on Wednesday nights.

"I still very much enjoy it," he said. "I think swimming is the finest lifesaving exercise going, especially when you get to my age."

Gordon, who has taught lifesaving in different pools across the borough, has been at Royston Lifesaving Club since 1990 and starts every swim by completing two widths of the pool underwater.

Gordon runs the Lifesavers sessions with Diana Wheeler, 60, and Margaret Goldthorpe, 63, who Gordon taught while she was growing up.

Lifesaving sessions take place at Royston Leisure Centre on Wednesdays between 8pm to 9.30pm. Anyone interested should contact 701790.