Frankie and The Heartstrings' late drummer given posthumous Ambassador for Sunderland award

Dave Harper, Frankie and The Heartstrings' late drummer and Pop Recs founder died in August, but in a new piece by Sunderland Echo, it's been revealed he's been given a posthumous Ambassador for Sunderland award for his contributions to the community.

One of the three Pop Recs directors - Dan Shannon - said of the award, "In Dave’s absence, that strength of feeling for him is even more pronounced and it makes people really realise what we have, in terms of Pop Recs."

"It’s really bittersweet as Dave put all the graft in," Shannon continued. "Me, Jo and Michael (the Pop Recs directors) did the finishing touches, but Dave did the lion’s share. His ideas and drive are still here in everything."

He added, "He’s in the fabric of the place, his picture is in every room and he’s in our thoughts every day when we open the building."