APPRENTICE Jake Needham will receive a £500 award and meet royalty for his work restoring and making sails.

Jake, 17, from Stanway, has been given the Young Preservationist of the Year Award from the Transport Trust charity in London.

He works at James Law-rence Sailmakers, in Tower Street, Brightlingsea.

The award, which will be presented by Prince Michael of Kent, was given for his work building and restoring historic trade and commercial ships sails.

Jake said: “I was very surprised at winning the award and it means a lot for a boy like me from Essex.

“I got entered into the competition without knowing. Some guy came along and was asking me a lot of questions about my work and I had no idea I was being watched for the award.”

Mark Butler, 51, the manager and owner of James Lawrence Sailmakers, said: “We entered Jake into the award as we recognised he was very skilful.

“We found out he would be competing against 300 people, but were so pleased when he was announced the winner.

“He takes two buses to get here every day and has shown a lot of dedication and commitment to his job.”

Jake, who works in a team of nine, said: “I love it. I started out with no experience and the guys here at the sail makers are great to work with.”

Jake will travel to London later in June to receive his prize money and certificate.