“One’s prime duty is to other human beings” said Malcolm Pittock, the inaugural winner of an award to recognise the work of local individuals to achieve an “enlightened and progressive society”.

The 84-year-old retired academic became the first to receive the Members’ Award for Outstanding Contributions to Socialism 2015.

The award, presented by Bolton Socialist Club, was inaugurated last year to recognise the efforts of individuals who campaign against social injustice and inequality.

It was given to actress Maxine Peake, and this year the club has introduced two Outstanding Contributions to Socialism awards, one which recognises a national figure and the other a local person.

The winners were Mr Pittock, who lives in Breightmet and acclaimed children’s author and campaigner Alan Gibbons.

The award recognises Mr Pittock’s lifelong commitment to, and his continuing involvement in peace activities.

He has led Bolton CND for many years and is the chairman of the local Stop the War Campaign.

His uncle is Alfred Evans, the celebrated conscientious object in World War One.

Mr Pittock has been an active peace campaigner and was imprisoned as a conscientious object in Septembr 1954 to January 1955 after refusing on principle to accept a place on an alternative work programme.

He said: “It is unusual to be given life membership of a club of which one has never been a member.

“I would define myself as a socialist anarchist and a monist, a term which I prefer to pacifist I believe that one’s prime duty is to other human beings and not to the state in which one happens to be born.

Mr Pittock said he had seen how his father had been affected by the loss of his brother who he “idolised” in World War One

“I am a monist because I believe the dualism whereby one can be imprisoned for killing a citizen of one’s own state while being praised and decorated for killing the citizens of other states is rationally unsustainable.”

Mr Gibbons said: “I have very pleased to have been given this award.

“I knew from a young age the effect of war, from my father and hearing about how it affects children.”

Author Alan Gibbon is a regular visitor to Bolton and has campaigned against library closures and the government’s austerity measures.

He said: “Libraries transformed my life, I educated myself through libraries, school obviously helped, but reading is knowledge and leads to debate and refines discussions.”

Mr Gibbons said that books that influenced him were Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm as well as Steinbeck’s work – and reading was essential to democracy.

Mr Gibbons added: “I will keep defending libraries and campaign against austerity measures.”

Bolton Against Bedroom Tax received a special award for its campaign.

Chairman of Bolton Socialist Club Chris Chilton said: “As with Maxine last year it’s a real honour to present our award to someone who is prepared to put his head above the parapet when so many others prefer not to.”