A FORMER Tavistock octogenarian has been honoured for his outstanding services to music in Cornwall.

On September 6 Peter Bawden, 81, was presented with the Gorsedh award after being nominated by Cornish bard Keith Truscott.

Mr Bawden has been singing for 74 years, except for two years after school when he was called up for National Service. His singing career began when he was 6-years-old for the choir at Tavistock Parish Church, and to this day he has performed in approximately 1,300 concerts, as a soloist and chorister in Devon and Cornwall. He has also performed throughout the UK and even in Italy, Spain and France.

Mr Bawden, who now lives in Plympton, began singing with Cornish choirs four decades ago and is currently a member of Canoryon Lowen of St Neot and the Loveny Male Voice choirs.

The Council of Gorsedh Kernow presented Mr Bawden with the award at the special ceremony at Torpoint and said he was 'extremely honoured'.

Mr Bawden who suffers with osteoarthritis said: 'It is very rewarding to be recognised for what I have done — it's an honour to receive the award. I will always sing, it's what I love, and as long as I can stand and eat a pasty I will be fine.'