A HARDWORKING couple who are both in their eighties have been shortlisted for two national awards.

Daphne and Gordon Smith are in the running for both the community champion and the green-fingered titles in the Happy Living Awards run by Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit care and housing provider

The couple, who live at Anchor’s the Meads in South Crescent, Ripon, were nominated by neighbours for their efforts in transforming the communal gardens at their retirement housing scheme and going the extra mile to help their community.

Altogether almost 300 nominations were sent in for the Happy Living Awards, which were launched by the company in August with a call for nominations in six different categories.

Mr and Mrs Smith, who are both grandparents, have lived at the Meads since the summer of 2014, and Gordon said: “We are over the moon to have been nominated. It is important to have a good community spirit.”

His wife Daphne added: “We love gardening as it keeps us fit, and it’s great to see others getting enjoyment from our communal gardens.”

She helps with a toddler group called Twiglets and does the gardening in their church grounds. Gordon holds a weekly painting class in the Meads communal lounge for the local community to come and improve their art skills.

The couple are keen gardeners and have worked hard to bring more colour to the communal garden at the Meads, which recently won silver at the Ripon in Bloom competition. Gordon also grows vegetables for his neighbours to enjoy while Daphne uses her flower arranging skills to create displays in the entrance hall.

Neighbour Sue Eddleston said: “Daphne and Gordon are real stars, tending to the garden come rain or shine and always organising something for us all to get involved in. It is exhausting just watching them.

“We residents at the Meads are lucky to live in such wonderful surroundings, and we become even luckier when we have such a loving, selfless couple living with us. Daphne and Gordon deserve to win, as they give their time so freely to put a smile on all of our faces.”

A customer panel will be coming together later this month to judge those shortlisted, and winners will be announced in December.