Gardeners, a keen cook, retired councillors and a music gig organiser are the recipients of this year’s civic awards run by Devizes Town Council.

Richard Savage, 71, of Maud Close, Devizes, receives the environmental award for his voluntary efforts in clearing up rubbish and litter along Windsor Drive and London Road.

The retired Lackham College lecturer was nominated for an award by the Devizes and Roundway in Bloom committee.

Meanwhile Zena Robson, chairman of Devizes and Roundway in Bloom, will receive a service to the people award for her efforts. She has been chairman of the committee for three years, in which time the town has won a gold award in South West in Bloom. She also organises the open gardens weekend in the town which raises money for the mayor’s charities.

Ms Robson, of the Drews Park area, said: “I’m a bit surprised to win an award. It’s very nice but it is a group effort and without other people on the committee nothing would happen.”

John Hunt, 77, of Chantry Court, receives a service to the people award. He has cooked lunches at the Crown Centre in Devizes for the past ten years, is chairman there and makes mince pies and soup for Devizes Partnership of Churches. The award is also for being chairman of the Devizes branch of Save the Children.

Mr Hunt, a retired pharmacist, said: “It’s all very nice for me receiving the award but it’s not only me who does the work, there’s a whole lot of other people as well.”

Kieran Moore, 30, of The Park, Erlestoke, receives a service to the people award for organising live music events in and around Devizes, many of them free, for the past ten years.

Former town councillors Charles Winchcombe and Margaret Taylor will both receive a service to the people award.

Mr Winchcombe was a town councillor for 30 years while Mrs Taylor served for 26 years. Both retired last year.

Mr Winchcombe, of Kirby Close, is involved in Devizes and District Phab and is a governor of Downlands School while Mrs Taylor, of Roundway Park, was chairman of Kennet Twinning Association for more than 20 years and is an honorary member of Devizes and District Twinning Association.

Mr Winchcombe was the first Devizes mayor to introduce a Christmas lights switching on ceremony (in 1994) and was instrumental in the Corn Exchange being refurbished.

Both Mr Winchcombe and Mrs Taylor said they were “very honoured” to receive civic awards, which are due to be presented tonight.