UNSUNG heroes in the community were recognised for their bravery, courage and selflessness at the Dorset Echo and Wessex FM People Awards.

Hundreds of people from across the borough and surrounding areas were nominated for their achievements and the winners were celebrated at an awards dinner hosted by Weymouth College.

Categories included Family of the Year, Local Hero, Outstanding Achievement Award, Teacher of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Young Person of the Year - and a shortlist was whittled down by a panel of judges prior to the event.

Ann Giffen and Julia Ryan of Holcombe Close, Preston, received the joint honour of being voted Neighbour of the Year, an award sponsored by Goadsby.

Despite being in their 70s the pair water neighbours' plants when they are away on holiday, keep an eye on empty houses, take in parcels, let in tradesmen when house-owners are working and help out whenever they can.

Ann received the award on behalf of herself and Julia.

She said: "My neighbours nominated me and I was very surprised to win.

"Unfortunately my friend who also won has fractured her collarbone and was unable to come but I'm sure she would have been really happy with the presentation.

"I was very surprised but I must say it is very nice. We are a very close community and we do tend to look after one another. We do what we can and I'm sure they appreciate what we do but there are other people nearby who are also very good for the community.

"It was very enjoyable, a very good crowd and it was a pleasure to be invited."

Dorset Echo managing director Paul Kinvig, who was co-presenting the event with Maria Greenwood of Wessex FM, said it was fantastic to be involved with the event that celebrated unsung heroes - for a second year.

He said: "These people do remarkable things without any thought of self-gratification or credit and they're the oil that helps our communities to run.

"The types of people that just go unnoticed day in day out, just working for the good of the people they know - their families, friends, pupils and it's a real privilege to be able to do this."