A FILM project designed to reach out to different sections of the Wiltshire community and record their stories has been highly commended in a prestigious national award scheme.

Wiltshire Voices has featured such diverse groups as residents of Salisbury’s Friary estate, canal boat dwellers, army wives, travellers, carers, and people living with dementia.

Many of these groups would not attend council meetings and would normally struggle to get their voices heard and their views taken into account.

The series of short videos was funded by government grant via the Wiltshire Public Service Board.

The Municipal Journal’s annual local government awards were presented by comedian Hugh Dennis at a ceremony in London on Thursday.

The films can be seen on the council's website, at wiltshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/wiltshirevoices.htm.