VOLUNTEERS have been recognised for their hard work in the community through the inaugural Southern Wiltshire Volunteering Awards.

Wiltshire Council’s Southern Wiltshire Area Board hosted the awards and received nominations in six categories.

The Whiteparish & Landford LINK Scheme won the Working with Older People category.

The scheme has 50 active volunteers carrying out more than 800 journeys each year to provide a “good neighbour” service.

They usually help with medical appointments, shopping and providing short relief for carers.

The winners in the Working on our Footpaths category were the South Wiltshire Ramblers’ Heavy Gang for installing kissing gates and foot bridges across south Wiltshire, and Mick Avery, leader and “driving force” of the Landford Footpath Committee.

Carolyn Port, who helped set up Winterslow Youth Zone, was chosen as a winner in the Working with Young People category, as well as Richard Rendall from Whiteparish Youth Club.

And the Whiteparish First Responders won the Working for a Safer Community award for providing life-saving first aid in the vital minutes between a 999 call and an ambulance arriving at the scene. Each of the winners will receive a £50 prize.