AN Arrow Vale Community High School student who has been sailing since he was seven has been crowned regional winner of a coveted British nautical award.

Richard Peacock, 15, of Ipsley, won the Marina Developments Limited Yachting Journalists' Association Young Sailor of the Year Award for the West Midlands.

A member of the Topper National Squad in 1999 and 2000, Richard came second in the Topper Inlands, Nationals and World Championships last year.

After selling his Topper for a 29er, he then won a place in the 29er Transitional Squad Training and this year achieved his goal of a place in the 29er National Squad, which he believes will lead to a place in the British Squad in years to come.