COMMUNITY causes across the county have been recognised for the benefits they bring to their local area.

North Yorkshire County Council handed out its annual community awards which celebrate the voluntary work done by people to make their neighbourhoods better places to live and to help the council to deliver critical services.

Now in their third year, the 2017 awards saw 102 nominations for 85 community causes.

Winners included the Men in Sheds initiative which helps tackle isolation, loneliness, mental health issues by bringing men together to take part in a range of crafts such as woodwork, glass etching and fishing.

Amon the runners-up were Leyburn Arts and Community Centre volunteers, St John’s Community Centre at Catterick Garrison and RAMPS - the Richmondshire Area Motorcycle Proficiency Scheme.

Councillor Helen Swiers, chairman of the County Council, said: “These awards celebrate the contribution so many people make to supporting North Yorkshire’s residents of all ages.

“Organisations and individual volunteers make such a big contribution to the lives of people across the county.

“It was difficult to select the finalists and even more difficult to choose the winners.”

She added:”All the entries show how much hard work people put into helping their communities.

Without the tens of thousands of hours the volunteers give, life for so many people would be much poorer.”

The winner of each category receives £1,000 for the relevant project or group, while runners-up each receive £250 for their cause.