The Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Sir Martin White, presented two bursary cheques at the Christmas lecture held by the Isle of Wight branch of the Historical Association.

The local branch runs an annual bursary scheme to assist students taking up the study of history at university.

There were two successful candidates this year, both pupils of Ryde School.

Martin Dixon who lives at Cowes, is studying at the University of Oxford and Kieran Douglas who lives at Seaview, is studying at the University of Exeter.

Both received bursary cheques of £600.

Kieran was unable to be there but the cheque was presented to his father on his behalf.

The Lord Lieutenant in a short speech congratulated the local branch for its financial encouragement of young students.

The Bursary capital has been provided by the President of the local branch, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Hicks from proceeds of the sale of his book An Island Legacy.