LOCHGELLY man Derek Johnstone was awarded the Diageo Trophy for Cowdenbeath Past and Present at a glittering awards ceremony held in Glenrothes.

The Kingdom FM judges named Derek, from South Street, as a “Local Hero” in the ‘best group or initiative category’ and the decision was warmly received by the 300 guests at the function in the Rothes Halls.

Although Derek and partner Lindsey Dobbie - who acts as administrator of the site - were unable to attend the ceremony, a pre-recorded video illustrated the work Derek had done in creating and founding both Lochgelly Past and Present and Cowdenbeath Past and Present.

Typically, Derek played down his own part in the astonishing success of the two Facebook groups which can now boast a remarkable membership in excess of 5000.

He said, “It is the members who have made a success of the groups and I would like to thank everyone for their written contribution to the sites as well as the 2500 photogaphs.” Derek is a local history guru and there is not much he doesn’t know about Lochgelly and is fast increasing his knowledge of Cowdenbeath.

He could hardly believe the world wide interest in the two sites which has attracted visits from different parts of the globe in a relatively short time of a few months.