A TRIO of community-minded volunteers have been recognised for their efforts to better prepare a town in case of flooding.

Joyce Roberts, Derek Briggs and Clare Todd, all flood wardens in Chester-le-Street, were winners at Durham County Council’s Environment Awards.

They were honoured for creating and promoting an emergency flood plan for Chester-le-Street, a town with a history of flooding, the most recent being in 2012.

The three volunteers have been acting as a liaison between businesses, residents and Durham County Council in a bid to ensure the community works together if the town suffers flooding.

If the emergency flood plan they produced needs to be put into action, the wardens and partners disseminate the information and warn residents and businesses that are at risk.

Environment Agency officer Anna Caygill said: “The work they have done is fantastic.

“They have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the flood risk in the town and have educated people about how they can be better prepared for flooding.

“Not only does their flood plan aid the local community, but it also can the emergency service response.”