A FORMER postman has won a regional award for his voluntary work, which included leading a team from the Prince's Trust, in Richmond.

Sean Craven, 26, from York, received a Prince's Trust trophy at the Young Persons Into Business event at St William's College, York.

He now goes forward to the national awards in November.

Mr Craven got a taste for voluntary work when the Royal Mail seconded him to its community action program-me to help workers aid the community. This involved a wide range of activities, from dressing up as Postman Pat to running soccer training schools.

The experience spurred him on to become involved with the Prince's Trust as a volunteer mentor for young offenders. By studying at college, he gained sports and expedition awards.

A year ago, he joined the guidance enterprises group, which aids the trust to help youngsters in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. He has guided teams in Richmond, Whitby, Skipton and Wakefield, and a team is soon to be launched in Pontefract.

Mr Craven said: "It is tremendously rewarding to work with young people who often have no direction and get them through training and into a suitable occupation."

He will meet the Prince of Wales when he competes in the competition, which also involves a weekend as a guest of Aston Villa Football Club.