Four girls have been honoured for their bravery in a new award in memory of a man who devoted his life to teaching.

And one of the youngsters will be named within the next week as Craven Child of Courage.

The David Clough award has been launched by Skipton Rotary Club in memory of David, former headteacher at Glusburn School, who died in December, aged 55.

Mr Clough, former president of the club, had suffered a stroke which severely disabled him although he had appeared to be making a recovery.

The nominees are Charlotte Banks, a pupil at Skipton Parish Church School, who has been fighting leukaemia since 1993; Jenny Hayes, who attends Rathmell School, who has congenital heart disease; Victoria Coe, a pupil at St Stephen's School, Skipton, who also suffers from leukaemia; and Holly Walker, who attends Thornton in Craven School near Skipton. Holly has slipped vertebrae syndrome.

Rotary Club member Bob Cleminson said: "We felt this was a highly appropriate award in memory of David. He was devoted to children and spent his life teaching in primary education.

"It will be a very difficult task to choose who should get the award because all the children are winners. They have showed tremendous courage.''

The award is for children who have shown courage either in dealing with ill health or disability, coping with family tragedy or supporting a friend or family member.

The winning child will receive a plaque and a cheque and the runners-up will be presented with certificates.

They were selected after the Rotary club approached schools asking for nominations for children who had shown courage.

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