A MAN of 79, who set up a Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme in Downton five years ago is to be honoured with an award himself.

Wiltshire County Council is to present Conrad Saunders with an Exceptional Service Award to mark his work with young people.

Mr Saunders, who now lives in Salisbury, formerly lived in Downton and was one of the leading lights in the setting up of the Downton Sports Centre.

A former chairman of the centre, he said it was during his time on the centre's committee that the county council wished to set up a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Centre in Downton.

"I said I would take it on and get it up and running," he said.

Over the years, the centre he established has seen five youngsters receive their gold awards and currently six are progressing towards their silver awards with ten working towards their bronze.

In addition to his work with the Duke of Edinburgh's scheme, Mr Saunders continues to support the sports centre and recently he was instrumental in obtaining a Millennium Festival Award of £3,000.

He is due to receive his award at County Hall in Trowbridge from BBC television sports presenter Ray Stubbs.