PROUD Rotarian Bill Haynes was applauded when he stepped up to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship award at the Rotary Club's 75th Anniversary.

Mr Haynes joined the elite band of award winners for his years of outstanding service to High Wycombe's Rotary Club and the community at a special 75th Anniversary dinner in the Town Hall, Queen Victoria Road on Saturday.

Mr Haynes, 75, an engineer, of Maidenhead, joined Rye Machinery, Cressex Industrial Estate, High Wycombe, on the shop floor after serving with the Royal Engineers.

Here he rose he prospered rising to the position of managing director but it was his dedication to mentoring young apprentices that made him stand out from the rest. He later served on the management committee of the Bucks Training Centre at Aylesbury.

Three months ago the Bucks Chilterns University College awarded him a doctorate for his work on the University Council where he was vice chairman.

Bill Tilley, spokesman for High Wycombe Rotary, said: "In his 28 years of Rotary membership, Bill has shown the same dedication to young people as well as giving unstinting community service to others. If the Rotary Club intended Bill Haynes to exemplify community service given by all Rotarians over its 75 years they could not have chosen better."

Mr Haynes said: "It was such a surprise but a great honour as it recognises not just one's own work but the great work of rotary. It is never down to one single effort and I was very conscious of that when I got the award."