HISTORIAN George Flynn has marked his 20th year as a lecturer in Darlington with an award from a national education group.

Mr Flynn, 72, started tutoring at the Workers' Educational Association's Bennet House centre, in Horsemarket, in 1971, with a course on the railways called The Iron Road.

At the time, he was still working as a railway administrator, but had done spells as a tutor before that.

He will be presented with his Adult Tutors' Award, one of ten presented annually by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, at the British Museum, London, in September.

During his time working on the railways, Mr Flynn also helped small shops and businesses to familiarise themselves with the decimalisation process for the chamber of trade.

He has also spent time teaching at Darlington College of Technology, in Cleveland Avenue.

Mr Flynn, of Auckland Oval, Darlington, will receive £250 worth of vouchers for residential colleges.

He said: "I'm dead chuffed - very pleased indeed."

He was nominated by Val Portass, secretary of the local WEA.