A LANDLADY is celebrating after being hailed as a community hero today (Thursday).

Kate Umpleby - the landlady of The Foresters Arms in Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington – was thrilled to be named as the North-East Community Hero in an annual competition run by Enterprise Inns.

The accolade recognises the work of Ms Umpleby for going above and beyond duty to make a positive impact on her community.

The tireless fundraiser was given £5,000 to spend on community projects and will go on to compete in the national finals, taking place in October.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled and have been quite emotional.

“I have been the landlady here for five years and I try to make sure we do a lot here.

"We do a lot of fundraising for Kays Hill animal sanctuary and the Butterwick Hospice.

“We also let groups use the pub and host things like a ukulele club. We are a hub in the community.

“Pubs are not all about people coming in to get drunk, they are meeting places where people can talk face to face instead of online.”

Ms Umpleby plans to spend the £5,000 on supporting local charities and wants to set up an animal education zone at the pub, where children can learn about how to look after wildlife.

She was nominated by regional manager Philip Preston.

He said: “Kate does a lot of great things and always goes the extra mile. She goes out of her way to help and when she could be spending her time doing her own thing, she is doing things for others instead.

“This award is testament to her and the great work she does, it is fantastic.”