COMMUNITY-minded residents who have helped save and promote vital services for a market town have been honoured.

Bedale Town Council presented the awards at the annual parish meeting to four people who have dedicated their time and efforts to working voluntarily to help the town.

Bruce Stainsby and John Burton were honoured after launching a major campaign to save and preserve the town’s allotments. The allotments have been based in the centre of the town since 1830, but the land is owned by the Church and there were plans to sell off the area for housing, moving the allotments to the outskirts of the town.

After a long-running campaign when Mr Stainsby and Mr Burton helped collect thousands of signatures for a petition to save the allotments, winning the support of local council’s, it was eventually agreed with the Diocese that half of the current land would be gifted to the Allotment Society so they can be preserved for the future.

The annual meeting was told it was down to the determination and drive of the two men who had “spent hours on research and campaigning” to preserve the allotments which had a special and important place in the town.

Mr Stainsby said:”It has been a really long road, but we have had a good outcome. The campaign to keep the allotments has been going on for 25 years." We want to thank the town council for their support and for these awards.”

Diane Hosking battled to preserve a meals on wheels service for the town. Cllr Amanda Coates said after problems when past services were closed Mrs Hosking had resurrected them and kept them going.

“We just wanted to say thank you from Bedale, it is such an important service. It is absolutely marvellous that you have ensured it carried on,” she added.

Mrs Hosking said she was overwhelmed to be given the award.

"I want to thank you, the meals on wheels committee and the volunteers who keep this service going,” she said.

The final award was presented to Lewis Grant, of Bedale Recreation Association, which folded this year after raising thousands of pounds towards vital sports and play equipment for the town, including the main play area in Bedale Hall and the leisure centre.

Mayor Cllr Christine Mollard said it was important to mark the time and effort they had put into helping and supporting the community.