Arthur Littlefair and his wife Vivienne

A man who donned silver-painted cardboard ‘armour’ as a young child to celebrate the Queen’s coronation made the trip to Westminster today to represent Lake District mountain rescuers.

Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team member Arthur Littlefair joined luminaries in Westminster Abbey to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s crowning.

Mr Littlefair has been a team member for more than 40 years, 23 of them as leader.

He said he remembers the original coronation celebrations in the town in 1953.

“I was only very young but I’ve checked my memories with family friends in the town,” he said.

“Apparently, I was dressed up as St George in silver-painted cardboard armour for a fancy-dress procession through Kirkby Stephen to mark the coronation.”

“It is a huge honour, 60 years on, to be asked to represent mountain rescue and Cumbria on this very special day.

“Our Queen is a great example of service and integrity and I really hope that everyone across the UK who is involved in mountain rescue, and particularly those in the Lake District and Cumbria, will feel that my invitation is also a mark of recognition and honour for their work.

“I also see it very much as a thank you to our partners, families and friends who make it possible.”

Richard Warren, Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association chair, said: “Arthur is a highly respected operational team leader amongst the twelve Cumbrian teams and it is most fitting that he and his wife will be among the invited guests.”

Mr Littlefair and his wife Vivienne were among eight Cumbrian representatives at the coronation celebration service in Westminster Abbey.