WHEN he joined the prison service 55 years ago as a Physical Education Instructor (PEI), Trevor Lewis, of Crediton, was following in the footsteps of his father Sidney Lewis who was a chief officer in the prison service.

Throughout his career Trevor has received numerous awards for his work in the prison service, particularly for his work with those with learning disabilities.

In 1963 Trevor joined the Army and was stationed at Denbury Junior Leader’s Regiment at Channings Wood in Newton Abbot before being sent to Cyprus and several other countries.

In 1975 he went to Long Larton in the Midlands and then worked at a Detention Centre in 1979.

After completing his training as a PEI in 1981 he started working at HM Prison Exeter.

He and his wife settled in Crediton where their children and later their grandchildren went to school.

Trevor said: "I love my job and I love training and talking to the lads.

"When I walk along the landing the lads all call out to me and want to chat.

"I’m lucky to work with a good bunch of people".

During his time working at Exeter Prison Trevor also served at several other prisons including HM Prison Dartmoor on detached duty.

He added: "I have also been lucky to work with some lovely children from Chernobyl, the Ellen Tinkham School and the West of England School for the Deaf when they visited Exeter Prison.

Trevor was delighted on June 21, when he received the HM Prison and Probation Service Director General Award for outstanding service and a Lifetime Achievement Award. HM Exeter Prison also won the Gym Team of the Year (SW) Award.

He also received a letter from The Rt Hon David Gauke MP congratulating him on the Life Time Achievement Award and on the invaluable service he provides.

Two years ago Trevor also won a Lifetime Achievement Award for the South West and Wales.

In 2014/2015 Trevor received the Butler Trust Award and the Keith Bromley Award for his dedication and professionalism over four decades as a PE Officer, as well as for his contribution to all aspects of prison life at HMP Exeter.

He was nominated by 15 prisoners, several of them describing him as “a top bloke” and another noted that, “although he always gives us a hard time, he always gets the best out of the boys.”

Trevor also received the Butler Trust Award in 1993 for working with community links, those with learning difficulties and prisoners and in 1991 he won the Chartered Standard Award.

At the age of 70 Trevor is the oldest serving PE Instructor in the prison service and has no plans to retire.

Trevor concluded: "I’m coming to the end of my career and although I still enjoy it, I’m coming to a time when I will have to think about hanging up my trainers."