A BARNOLDSWICK soldier who joined the army as a promise to his late grandfather more than kept his pledge when he was named the best recruit in his regiment.

Although he joined the Duke of Lancaster's as a relative latecomer at the age of 22, Lee Stockdale impressed his superiors enough to come top of all three judging categories for the award.

Now he has completed his 24-week training course as an infantryman, the former car wash attendant will undergo further training before being deployed to Cyprus.

This week Lee's mother Dawn Robinson, who lives in Settle, said she was overjoyed at her son's achievement.

She said: "He did it as a promise to his grandad before he died and he'd be so proud of him if he was still around."

Lee, who signed up in November, was this week taking some well-earned rest at his grandmother's house on Lower East Avenue and joins fellow Barlicker Ryan Emmott, who was one of the first recruits to the Duke of Lancaster Regiment after its inception in July 2006.