A DEDICATED gardener has been honoured with a Volunteer of the Year award.

Harry Slattery was recognised by Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) for his extensive work at Coast and Country’s Westfield Farm, which relies heavily on the work of volunteers.

The 75-year-old runs a training course teaching volunteers and service users how to grow vegetables and maintain their own planting areas.

He said: “I am so grateful to have received this award, I thoroughly enjoy everything I do at Westfield Farm. I am surrounded by great people, doing things I love, so it doesn’t feel like work at all. The place has such a fantastic and positive atmosphere and I am honoured to be part of it.”

Located in Dormanstown, near Redcar, ‘The Farm’ is a one-stop-shop that provides the kind of high quality advice, guidance, training and support that helps people get back into work.

Barry McBride, Westfield Farm co-ordinator, said: “Everyone at the farm is so proud of Harry’s achievements, he has been such a committed and brilliant volunteer and is an inspiration to both our staff and service users. He brings such passion to everything he does, especially his gardening workshops, making him a real asset to the centre, we couldn’t imagine the place without him.”