YEARS of loyal, unstinting service to boxing by historian Harold Alderman have been recognised at an awards ceremony.

Alderman was among over 300 members attending the London Ex-Boxers’ Association’s annual awards luncheon at the New Connaught Rooms in London's Covent Garden when he was called up to receive the prestigious Alf Paolozzi Award.

"It was a total surprise," said the 65-year-old from Aylesham. "I wasn’t expecting it for one moment."

Association president Stephen Powell said the award was a long time overdue and thoroughly deserved.

He said: "Harold's knowledge and range of contacts is phenomenal and he will persevere until he has exhausted all lines of research.

"I have seen grown men reduced to tears and I’ve seen families reunited through Harold’s work in tracing the careers and movements of old boxers."

* See the Kentish Gazette (Thursday, February 22) for the full story.