A PENSIONER has been recognised for her lifetime of fundraising work to help local charities.

Hilda Phillips, of Dean Bank Grange, Ferryhill, was named Sedgefield borough's citizen of the year in a contest ran by the borough council.

The 76-year-old has knitted clothes to sell and organised coffee mornings in aid of The Butterwick Hospice and other good causes, including Bishop Auckland General Hospital's baby unit and the North-East Ambulance Service.

Sedgefield Mayor David Newell presented the award at a ceremony at the sheltered housing complex where Mrs Phillips has lived with her husband, Albert, for 13 years.

The awards ceremony was held at the complex because Mrs Phillips has restricted mobility. She had both her legs amputated because of poor circulation, and the time she spent in hospital helped inspire her efforts for charity.

She said: "I thought it was a joke when I was first told I had won. I think there are so many more deserving people than me, but it was lovely.

"It is nice to be appreciated. The most important thing is that my raising thousands of pounds, with the support friends and staff, has helped make a real difference locally."

Sheltered housing officers Jamie Arkley and Carole Hubbard nominated Mrs Phillips for the honour.

Mrs Arkley said: "She knits every day to raise money for good causes and works really hard to help others."