A RETIRED Teesside industrialist, Dr Jim Whiston, was loudly applauded at St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough, when Bishop John Crowley presented him with an award from Pope John Paul on Sunday.

The bishop said the Knighthood of St Gregory was being conferred to recognise Dr Whiston's outstanding contribution to the Church in different ways.

These include his voluntary work at the diocesan office, where he is a trustee and financial secretary, years of youth work and his efforts to increase participation by lay people.

Dr Whiston, 69, of Aldbrough St John, has set up a network of finance committees in all the diocese's 77 parishes.

A former senior manager at ICI Wilton, he is chairman of governors at St Francis Xavier's Secondary School, Richmond. Twenty priests and deacons were present at the altar sanctuary during a mass at the cathedral. They included Fr Michael Melia, of St Osmund's parish, Gainford, where the Whiston family worships.

Bishop Crowley hugged Dr Whiston after pinning the medal on his coat, and gave a kiss on the cheek to Tess Whiston and their daughter Clare, of London. Their son Patrick was not present as he lives in Australia.

During the mass, arranged by Marriage Care's Cleveland branch, Dr and Mrs Whiston celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary when couples renewed their wedding vows.

Dr Whiston was also pleased because the diocesan accounts for 2003 showed an operating surplus for the first time in four years.

He reported in the annual accounts that offertory collection were up by 3pc, but building repairs cost £1m, a quarter of funds given.

* The diocese has two other living Knights of St Gregory: Dr Bill Boyes, a retired GP, of Saltburn, and Bernard Connelly, a retired marketing manager, of Osmotherley.