VOLUNTEERS, community groups and sporting heroes from throughout Wychavon have been recognised for their hard work and commitment.

Earlier this month the district council held its second ever Community Recognition Awards hosted this year at Peopleton Village Hall.

The event is held to give people a chance to nominate those people in their community who they feel go the extra mile for those around them and 40 such people received a nomination this year.

It is a chance for everyone to thank them for all their efforts and hard work in the community.

This year the awards were split into eight different categories and nominations were taken from various voluntary and charitable groups from across the district.

Community group award was won by the Number 8 Volunteer Team from Pershore and the community project award was taken away by the Friends of Jubilee Gardens from Evesham.

Mark Richardson, who was awarded volunteer of the award, was described as a "people person" and was nominated for his hard work over the past year on the Wick Flood Alleviation Committee and Flood Callout Team. He has secured two defibrillators for the village, led memory sessions at Heathlands, developed the emerging Wick Cares scheme and led the village history group.

As for the healthy living winner, Trevor Clark from Bredon, he was given the nod for forming the Pershore Plum Plodders running club three years ago.

Phoebe Chan, from Droitwich, was named as sporting hero after winning medals in several Taekwondo British Championships and she will be selected to compete for England in the Kickboxing World Championships.

Young volunteer of the year award went to Beth Witsey, who is also from Droitwich. The Fortis Living Teen Champion regularly goes above and beyond with enthusiastic determination to help the local community in Droitwich.

The arts recognition award was taken home by Peter Hawkins, from Droitwich, who as the chairman of the Droitwich Arts Network promotes the arts locally across a variety of art and craft forms.

And the lifetime award went to husband and wife, Sylvia and Arthur Whitakker for the support they have offered St Richard's Hospice over the years.

Hannah Peacop, community development assistant at Wychavon, said: "We had lots of nominations this year and it was extremely difficult for the panel to choose the winners.

"It’s amazing to see just how committed the nominees and the winners in particular are to their communities and they are all worthy of this recognition."

Lynne Duffy, chairman of Wychavon, added: "Peopleton Village Hall was a fitting venue for such an inspirational event and we’ve had many positive comments about how special the occasion was.

"Each nominee has an inspirational story to tell and they have done their communities and the Wychavon area proud."