A larger than life character known to many residents as ‘the pirate’ has been recognised for his hard work helping residents recycle their possessions.

Russell Newland, who salvages items at the High Heavens recycling centre to sell at its charity re-use shop was named Marlow Free Press columnist Mike Eagleton’s ‘Shopkeeper of the Month’.

The instantly recognisable Mr Newland’s work allows products otherwise bound for the dump to be resold to raise money for South Bucks Hospice.

He was invited to speak on the airwaves during Mike’s show on community station Marlow FM.

Mike said: “The shop is gaining a very healthy reputation with an impressive array of reasonably priced second-hand goods of all descriptions and Russell’s outgoing and helpful personality, as well as his striking appearance, is very much a part of the scene.”

Mr Newland was joined in the studio by chief executive Jo Woolf of South Bucks Hospice, which is currently building a new centre in High Wycombe.

Previous recipients of Mike’s coveted award in Marlow include Bernard Burger from Burgers’ Bakery and Restaurant and Richard Hunt from Hunts’ Hardware.