A DERBY pub landlord has seen off competition from 21,000 people to win a national lifetime achievement award.

Dave Lalor, who pioneered the city's successful Pubwatch scheme more than 20 years ago, has now been recognised for his dedication.

The 55-year-old started the scheme by bringing together a handful of pubs. It now boasts more than 150 members.

The national Pubwatch committee has given Mr Lalor, who runs the Station Inn, in Midland Road, the National Pubwatch Lifetime Achievement Award.

He said: "Being given the award was a very proud moment in my life. I dedicate it to my wife, Lynn, who has been so supportive over the years, and my sister, Jo, whose advice has been invaluable.

"The fact is that I don't see this as a personal achievement. There is no way that I would have been given this award had it not been for the support of the people of Derby.

"We work closely with the likes of the police, the community safety partnership and city centre management.

"Pubwatch in Derby goes from strength to strength and we are now involved in a wide range of initiatives across the city. "

Mr Lalor started the Derby scheme as a way of tackling violence in the city's pubs. He wanted landlords to work together to share information about people who were causing trouble.

He managed to secure funding for around 20 two-way radios and distributed them among pubs.

He said the benefits of the radio system were highlighted in 2001, when England faced Mexico in a World Cup qualifying football match at Pride Park.

Mr Lalor said: "We had bus loads of people coming from all over the country and, through the radios, we were able to talk to each other and the police about troublesome groups and the directions they were heading in."

Now, the city's Pubwatch has more than 150 members using 100 radios. The scheme has also helped fund initiatives in the city centre, including the Street Pastors and the Best Bar None Awards.

Mr Lalor was presented with his award at a recent national Pubwatch conference by Commander Simon O'Brien, from the Metropolitan Police.

Trevor Pepper, Midlands representative for National Pubwatch, who nominated Mr Lalor, said: "Without doubt, Dave is the most worthy candidate.

"He's running his own business, yet finds the time to voluntarily help others to set up schemes."