Police constables Derek Flexer and Kate Granger-Williams are two of the most special Specials around.

Section Officer at Wootton Bassett Derek Flexer, 45, was awarded the Chief Constable's Award for outstanding contribution to their section while Special Constable Granger-Williams, 34, from Cricklade Police Station, received the Police Authority award.

The awards were given out at Devizes Police HQ by Chief Constable Martin Richards on Tuesday. In his recommendation SO Flexer, who has served for almost five years, was praised for his leadership skills, commitment and the high qualities that his structured training and support programme has created.

The recommendation read: "Derek leads by example. He is highly regarded as a tutor/mentor and sets high standards."

Recently SO Flexer helped organise a high turnout of specials to help police with the repatriation of the RAF Lyneham servicemen killed in combat.

SO Flexer said: "I'm delighted with the award and it's fantastic to be able to lead such a committed and lively group of people."

He works as a product manager at Motorola.

He shared the award with SO Nigel Willcocks from the Westbury and Warminster section.

Fellow award winner special constable, mother-of-three and air-stewardess Kate Granger-Williams was praised for her reliability and willingness to volunteer despite other commitments. Her recommendation included her response to a fatal road accident that she came across as she drove home alone last year.

SO Granger-Williams said: "I was surprised to be told that I'd received the award but it shows that you can do it despite other commitments."

Another awards night will be held next Friday in Wootton Bassett to congratulate Specials, including SO Flexer, on their success in February in catching a 'Lebanese Loop' gang targeting HSBC in the High Street.