A SOLDIER with the Territorial Army has been presented with a top award for his years of outstanding service.

Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Andy Haywood has been awarded Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant's Certificate.

He received the honour from the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson, at the Newton Aycliffe Territorial Army Centre.

WO2 Haywood is Company Sergeant Major (CSM) at 124 Recovery Company REME (Volunteers) in Newton Aycliffe.

He joined the company in 1990 after spending five years as a regular soldier with the Green Howards.

He quickly established a reputation as an excellent instructor and recruiter, as a result of which he was promoted to sergeant within four years. More recently he volunteered for duty with the Army during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Since becoming CSM, he has been responsible for establishing close links with the Newton Aycliffe Army Cadet Force.

WO2 Haywood, who lives in Newton Aycliffe, was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife, Elaine.