THE chairman of Bournemouth’s Town Watch scheme for pubs and clubs has won a national award.

Alan Dove took the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 11th annual National Pubwatch Conference in Manchester.

The event brought together 237 delegates to explore how to promote safer drinking environments.

Mr Dove has been chairman of Bournemouth Town Watch since 2007. He is commercial manager of the Bournemouth University Students Union and operator of the university’s bars and its nightclub, the 1,200-capacity Old Fire Station.

Bournemouth council cabinet member and town centre councillor David Smith said: “I have been privileged to work closely with Alan on a number of areas and I have the utmost respect and appreciation for someone of tremendous integrity and commitment.

“I am extremely pleased that he has won this prestigious national award.”

Bournemouth Town Watch won the Morning Advertiser Pubwatch Award for Social Responsibility in Mr Dove’s first year of office.

He steered the group towards a strategic approach which led to the the commissioning of a key report, Bournemouth By Night, as well as maintaining commit- ment to policies on drinks promotion.

Jon Shipp, night time economy co-ordinator for Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Alan’s involvement in everything connected to the night time trade and Town Watch is complete, always bringing energy, enthusiasm and commitment.

“This is a great success for Alan and a real endorsement for the work of Town Watch and its significant contribution to the town.”

The Outstanding Contribution Award was devised to recognise the contributions made by individuals and the work they have undertaken to keep watch schemes going around the country.