Friends: Keith shakes hands with his old friend from Warren School Robert Allder

A historian fascinated by the sea beamed with pride after receiving a top civic award.

Keith Langridge, of Geneva Gardens, Chadwell Heath, served for seven years in the Merchant Navy after leaving school and is a member of the Society for Nautical Research.

He also belongs to Chadwell Heath Historical Society and pours over records at Valence House history museum in Becontree Avenue, Dagenham.

Last month, City of London Corporation gave him the Freedom of the Borough, a civic award recognising the contribution of people in their communities.

Mr Langridge said: “I was asked to become a Freeman due to my connections with and historical research into maritime history.

“I do like to visit Valence House archives to do research.

“The new facility is really good and the staff very helpful.

“I would urge anyone to support their local facilities in order to keep them going in this financial turmoil we are in.”

Mr Langridge was joined by friend Cynthia Robinson, who chairs a small craft group within the Royal institute of Navigation, and former school pal Robert Allder, who attended the Warren School in Chadwell Heath with him.