UNSUNG hero Peter Bowditch was honoured for nearly 50 years of service to the community.

The Shipton Gorge grandad was named as West Dorset’s Comm-unity Champion at an awards ceremony in Dorchester.

Stalwart Peter, 64, said he was surprised but delighted to win the West Dorset District Council accolade.

“I was shocked but really pleased. It came as a surprise. There were so many people there who have done so many worthy things.

“I never dreamed of winning the award. It came completely out of the blue.

“I am very grateful to the people who nominated me and for the district council for honouring me like that.”

Peter lives in Peas Hill, Shipton Gorge, with wife Sue and children Susan, Emma, Daniel and Stephen.

The former electrician had to retire at 50 because of his arthritis. He is now secretary and treasurer of the Bridport Disabled Carers Group and is fundraising for the Dorchester Opportunity Group because his grandson Oliver, three, goes there.

But he started his dedication to community service in the sixties when he became the long serving electrician for the Bridport Pantomime Players.

He has been a member for 12 years. The group meets every Tuesday morning and it is a chance for carers and disabled members to come along and socialise with each other.

Peter said: “We sit, we chat and we put the world to rights. Carers also come along and give craft sessions and occasionally we go on trips. We have a lovely time together and always welcome new members.

Peter has also been involved in Bridport Operatic Society, Bridport Sea cadets, the Millennium Green committee, the PTA at Burton Bradstock school, the Shipton Gorge village society and the parish council.

Peter said he never looked on his good deeds as a chore or service.

“I just enjoy it. I never look on it as taking something on, it’s more of a hobby.”

He added that sometimes it was because of an interest, such as the sea cadets because both of his sons were cadets.

He was one of the annual winners at the district council’s Community Champion awards at Dorchester Corn Exchange.

Charlie Kapur, of the management committee at Woodsmead Hall, Lyme Regis, joined him on the winners podium after being named as Environmental Champion.

The Young Champion was Jonny Webb of Crossways Young People’s Group and the Community Group Champion was Chickerell @ Play.

Charles Lotter and staff at the Summer Lodge Hotel in Evershot, and Mike Burks at the Gardens Group in Sherborne were also recognised for supporting community groups.