VOLUNTEERS have been honoured for their dedicated community work.

Stanley Area Action Partnership has awarded Certificates For Outstanding Community Service to individuals and groups in the area that have gone the extra mile.

Each was nominated for the honour by individuals who have directly benefitted from their hard work and generosity.

One of the bodies recognised for their efforts was the Single Homeless Action Initiative in Durham.

Manager Kevin Howe said: “Having been in operation since 1998, we have helped thousands of young people avert homelessness, worked very closely with housing providers, social services, Durham Constabulary, Durham County Council and, more recently, local town councillors.

“Over the past five years, we have worked with former armed forces personnel who have fallen on hard times and have become homeless themselves.

“To date, we have housed and re-housed well over 500 veterans, many settling in the Stanley area.

“We have a strong, committed team across all services and I’m proud to be at the helm of such a great organisation.

“The credit for this award should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the frontline workers who never give up and consistently achieve the best outcomes for their clients”.

Other recipients of the certificates were: Age UK volunteer John Milburn; Margaret Jobson and Enid Dent, o run the Betjeman Dining Circle for elderly residents;and Linda Kirk,of the Just for Women Centre, in Stanley.