HARD-working Bromyard people have been recognised for their efforts in the latest citizens' awards.

The annual awards are given by Bromyard and Winslow Town Council to notable local people who have served the community.

The winners include Rodney and Gwen Gwilt, for their help at Bromyard Heritage Centre.

Mrs Gwilt, aged 88, said: "It's quite a privilege to be recognised in this way.

"My husband and I have been helping at the heritage centre and the tourist information centre for about the past 20 years.

"I still like to go along on a Saturday and give a hand but I'm not quite as mobile as I used to be. However, I still enjoy it."

Gordon Couston has been recognised for his 15 years voluntary work with the Meals on Wheels service in and around Bromyard.

Mr Couston, who is in his 70s, organises and delivers to the 40 volunteers who cover a patch as far north as Thornbury and as far east as Whitbourne.

He has also been a member of Bromyard Choral Society for 36 years and was their conductor for 30.

"I do what I do because I enjoy it," said Mr Couston. "One feels that one can still be of use even though one's not so young anymore."

Another winner dedicated her award to the helpers who have given her assistance as she ran the Bromyard Women's Institute Market for the last 50 years.

Marjorie Stephenson, who has been a member of the Bredenbury branch of the WI for 60 years, said: "This isn't really my sort of thing. I was hesitating about whether I should accept the nomination and then people who help with the market said I must.

"This really is in recognition of their work as much as mine."

Other winners include paralympic tennis star Janet McMorran, for promoting Bromyard around the world, and Daphne Davies, who was posthumously rewarded for her work on the public hall, funding the history society and her service as a town councillor.

The winners will receive certificates at a ceremony in September at the Falcon Hotel in Bromyard.