TWO North Yorkshire sailors have been honoured for their many years of service to their clubs.

Dennis Altoft of Ripon Sailing Club and Ron Clark of the Ripon-based White Rose Sailing Association have been presented with lifetime commitment Awards by the Royal Yachting Association.

Both men were nominated for their awards in secret by their respective committees.

Mr Altoft said: "I feel very honoured to have been nominated for the award. I’ve been a member of Ripon Sailing Club for 36 years, since it was just a wooden hut and at 77 years of age I hope I have many more years left to serve."

Mr Clark has been a member of his association for 40 years and was also delighted with his award.

"I was so surprised when I received the letter," he said. "I was the last person in the whole club to know."

The pair were presented with their awards by the Princess Royal at a ceremony in London.