A WIMBORNE man who has dedicated half his life trying to solve the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster has been honoured by tourism leaders in Scotland.

Steve Feltham was named Highland Ambassador at the 2016 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA).

Steve has spent 25 years searching for the elusive monster, and has now been praised for helping to promote Loch Ness to the world.

His fascination started during a family holiday in 1970 which included a visit to the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau, a team of volunteers who set up a camp each summer near Urquhart Castle.

In 1991, while in his 20s, he gave up his house and job and moved to the Highlands to follow his dream. He settled in the loch-side village of Dores, from where he has maintained his vigil, sustaining himself by making model monsters. He has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest continuous vigil hunting for the Loch Ness monster.

Steve’s name has become synonymous with the world-famous loch and he is a familiar figure with locals and visitors.

Local businesses regard him as an asset to tourism and the awards organisers say he is a ‘walking PR company’ for the promotion of Loch Ness as a tourist destination, having featured in countless media programmes and articles about Nessie and the area.

Steve, originally from Wimborne, said: “Winning this award makes me realise that what I’ve been doing for two and a half decades doesn’t just make my heart sing, it has a knock-on effect for the tourism industry in the Highlands of Scotland.”

The Ambassador title is a special award given by the HITA Board to an individual who ‘goes the extra mile’ in contributing to the success of tourism in the Highlands and Islands.

HITA chairman Craig Ewan said: “Our worthy winner has immersed himself in a narrative which has become as popular as the area, attracting over 1 million visitors annually and generating in excess of £30 million to the local economy.

“He has contributed to the legend.”