A VOLUNTARY worker whose six week stint turned into 12 years has been honoured at the House of Lords.

Peter Isherwood, from Guiseley, has clocked up 39 years voluntary service with young people - including 12 years with the 2168 Yeadon Air Cadets.

And for his endless hard work, Mr Isherwood, currently the Yeadon squadron's corporate communications officer, was presented with a Voluntary Services medal and certificate at the House of Lords.

He was also presented with the Air Training Corps Certificate for Long Service for 12 years continuous service.

"It was a great honour to receive the medal and certificates and it was a bonus that they were presented in the House of Lords.

"I have enjoyed all my voluntary activities, particularly with the Air Training Corps at Yeadon where I agreed to help out for six weeks over 12 years ago," he said.

At the ceremony, which took place in the Queen's Robing Room at the House of Lords in front of members of Mr Isherwood's family and of the Yeadon squadron, Life peer, Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen, spoke of Mr Isherwood's dedication to all the organisations he has been involved with in the last 39 years. Most of Mr Isherwood's life has been spent helping others, both in his work for children with special educational needs and with a number of organisations, including the Air Training Corps.

The Baroness said she had known Mr Isherwood for many years and he obviously felt great pride in the achievements of the Yeadon air cadets. Before the presentation, the group was shown around the House of Lords by the deputy senior gentleman usher from Black Rods office.

Mr Isherwood added it was a great honour to receive his award in the House and especially in front of his family and friends.

Mr Isherwood added: " I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the past 39 years of voluntary service."

His voluntary service began in the 1960s in Liverpool and has included a number of youth groups and a concert band. For many years he was involved with the Rathbone Society, a national charity for children and young people with learning difficulties, in which he rose to the position of national vice chairman.

For the last 12 years he has been a civilian instructor in the Air Training Corps with responsibility for publicity and overseeing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.