A PHYSICAL education officer who helped set up the UK's first prison parkrun at HMP Haverigg is celebrating being presented with a prestigious commendation by The Princess Royal at St James’s Palace in London.

Shane Spencer received the commendation from the Butler Trust, which has The Princess Royal as its patron.

His commendation was one of just 20 granted from more than 400 nominations across Britain.

Now in their 34th year, the Butler Trust annual awards recognise outstanding service by staff and volunteers working in UK prisons, probation, and youth justice settings.

This year’s award ceremony was held at St James’s Palace, with The Princess Royal presiding, as she has each year since the charity’s launch.

The Secretary of State for Justice, Rt. Hon. David Gauke MP, and Prison and Probation Minister, Rory Stewart, were among the audience of more than 200 there to honour this year’s winners.

After the presentations, The Princess talked to Mr Spencer and his fellow winners over afternoon tea in the Palace State Rooms.

Simon Shepherd, director of the trust, said: “Behind all the headlines, and hidden from view, is an unsung army of criminal justice workers and volunteers doing difficult, demanding and highly skilled work on all our behalves, with some of the most challenging people in society.

"Our awards are a way of saying a very public thank you to some of the most outstanding of them. And this year’s winners are as outstanding as ever.”

The chair of the Butler Trust’s independent awarding panel, Sir Michael Harrison said: “We were impressed by the drive, enthusiasm and innovation Shane has shown as a Physical Education Instructor.

"We were also struck by a particular highlight of his work promoting the physical and mental health of prisoners: was setting up the UK’s first ever prison Parkrun.”