A SCOUT leader has received the organisation's highest honour for service after decades of putting youngsters on the track to adventure and success.

David Sowden, who leads the 3rd Bingley Sea Scouts Explorers group, has been awarded the Silver Wolf award his lifelong commitment to scouting.

"To be candid, when I first got wind of this I had to sit down. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime 'wow' moments," said Mr Sowden, 76, a former police divisional commander for Bradford South.

"I'm very privileged to have worked with such talented young people over the years - it's been challenging and inspirational all at once.

"The trick has been to turn their talents into recognisable achievements. It's been magical.

"What we do is give them a wide range of opportunities and my job is to showy those young people the way, then it's up to them to extract the maximum value from what's offered to them."

West Yorkshire's County Scout Commissioner Mark Stageman presented Mr Sowden with a certificate signed by Chief Scout Bear Grylls and also a prestigious solid silver wolf pendant during a service to honour his and other scouts' achievements at All Saints' Church, Bingley on Sunday.

The Sea Scout group does most of its sailing up at Reva Reservoir above the town, but Mr Sowden, or "Skip" as he is known, said they had adventures across Europe.

"We truly are Sea Scouts and have sailed the length of the North Sea from Felixstowe to Norway and from Poland to the South Baltic," he said proudly, thanking fellow leaders for all their support.

Mr Sowden told how as a boy trainspotter he first got involved in scouting back in 1947.

"I was at Bingley Station when a train pulled up and a red carpet was put out for the Chief Scout Lord Rowallen who was on his way to be the special guest at a West Yorkshire scouting event in Myrtle Park.

"I went along, got chatting to people, joined up and the rest is history," Mr Sowden said.

The Vicar of All Saint's, the Reverend Canon Beverley Mason praised Mr Sowden's dedication.

"I'm just so proud of him, we all are and owe David enormous gratitude," she said..

"He invests so much goodness in people and really is nurturing tomorrow's leaders."

County Commissioner Mr Stageman added: "As a leader at the 3rd Bingley Sea Scouts, David is an inspiration not only to our young people, but also to those who have had the privilege of knowing and working with him throughout his Scouting life.

"David's commitment to the development of young people is both exceptional and exemplary. I am delighted that David's contribution has been recognised through the award of the Silver Wolf."