Eighteen-year-old Spencer, of Turmer Avenue, a member The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will spend the next two years living in the south of England to complete voluntary work for the church.

He earned a Duty of God Award last year for both his personal achievements and his contributions to Bridlington, which included painting the cenotaph railings and working with community wardens.

Spencer is looking forward to spending the next two years working as a missionary even though contact with his family will be restricted to a weekly letter home and just two phone calls each year; on Christmas Day and Mother's Day.

"I'm really excited about going to meet the people who live in the south. The areas I will be serving in could be anywhere from London to Cornwall. Somebody told me southerners aren't as friendly as northerners, so I will test that theory while I'm out there," said Spencer.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, has more than 50,000 missionaries throughout the world.

Spencer has been saving hard from his job at Morrison's supermarket to fund his two year mission.

He said: "I will miss Bridlington and my family and friends in the town and at Morrison's very much.

"Many people have expressed their best wishes and some have even given me donations to help me with the cost.

"Perhaps the thing I will miss most of all will be my wet suit and Flamborough cliffs – missionaries have a rule that they aren't allowed to swim, at all, for the whole two years."

Spencer will study for a degree in tourism and leisure management at the University of Hull when he returns.

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