A group which provided mock-up injured people for training first-aiders and nursing staff scooped a top award in 2008.

The Casualties Union presented its Furness branch with the coveted Lotus Trophy at its national conference in Liverpool.

The prestigious prize was awarded each year to the branch than could best show it was promoting the organisation and maintaining its founding spirit.

Furness branch leader Paul Fones said: “It’s like winning the World Cup.

“Furness Branch has been after the trophy for many years.”

Secretary Paul Burns said he was pleased for the group that its contribution to the union had been recognised.

He said: “The group in 2007/08 gave a tremendous amount of their own time to travel all over the country.

“We have been nominated for the award for several years and have finally brought the trophy to Barrow.

“It came on the back of our successful filming session with Fever Media for the Britain’s Bravest Channel Five TV series and is testament to our skills and dedication.”

Members helped create an accident on the Langdales, complete with a gory mock-up of a wounded leg.

The Furness branch had 20 members and they were known for producing very realistic-looking injuries.

The branch was one of only a handful to have a junior membership and teach make-up and acting to young people.

Mr Burns said: "Our exercises range from first-aid at work through to full nuclear incidents.

"Our work also takes us all over the UK and parts of Europe, depending on who requires our skills.

"We have worked with the World Health Organisation in Paris, the Ministry of Defence in Edinburgh and NHS trusts both locally and in the Midlands."

The Lotus Trophy was made up from materials retrieved from the Dutch palace of Queen Wilhelmina after it was bombed in the Second World War.