A TEENAGER who has given hours of time to a West Devon organisation which works to protect historic relics from the UK's industrial past has been presented with a special award.

The Lewin Cup, presented to the best 'Robey Apprentice of the Year', was awarded to Jack Ayland at a ceremony held at the Harvest Home Pub, Gulworthy.

Jack, who is almost 16, has been with the Robey Trust since the age of eleven. He received the prestigious cup at a Christmas social evening.

Norman Emmett, the trust's works manager, said that Jack was a conscientious young man who had applied himself diligently to a wide range of activities within the Trust — from operating the centre-lathes to writing articles for the newsletter.

Norman said: 'It occurred to us that these achievements ought to be recognised in some way. At first we were at a loss as to the best item to use, but once our eyes fell on the Lewin Cup, what better recognition could there possibly be?'

The Lewin Cup was given to the Robey Trust for safekeeping and display when Beel Industrial Boilers (BIB), the name given to the resurrected original Robey Company, closed in the mid 1990s. It was awarded to the apprentice who had excelled at their technical-college studies as well as their performance in the Works. Jack's name will be engraved at the base of the silver cup alongside the names of previous recipients.

The Robey Trust was created in 1983 to preserve, restore and operate steam vehicles and other historic engines, especially those manufactured by Robey Company Limited of Lincoln, which closed in 1988 after 134 years.

Norman said that the awarding of the Lewin Cup, a genuine piece of Robey history, was a testimony to those in the past, and hopefully now those in the future, willing to devote time and effort to acquiring and honing the skills and knowledge of steam engineering for the benefit of future generations.