DEVIZES Mayor Andy Geddes was delighted to honour four young people from the town who have become its first Young Citizens Of The Year.

Devizes School pupil Kate Galloway was the overall winner for her work with 1st Devizes Scouts and volunteering with elderly people with dementia in care homes.

Twins Edward and William Hickman, who are volunteers at Devizes Budo Club, and Arek Rudnik from 3rd Devizes Cubs received certificates.

Cllr Geddes, who made the decision to launch the new award, said: "I was delighted with the calibre of the young people who were nominated. I hope this competition will continue to grow.

"All too often we only hear about teenagers in a negative way but we have some wonderful young people in our town doing all sorts of good works and this is the chance to celebrate them.

"Kate is an exceptional young woman and her personality shone through."

Mr Geddes was also full of praise for the adults who were given awards. These included Wayne Cherry from Devizes Royal British Legion who held his own 100 hour vigil in The Brittox in the run up the Remembrance Sunday which last year commemorated 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Cllr Geddes said: "I think what Wayne Cherry did epitomised for many their thoughts about the commemoration. He had a quiet dignity."

Barbara Wordsley was also part of the town's First World War commemorations and knitted thousands of poppies that were displayed around the town. Both of them received service to the people awards.

Also honoured last Thursday evening were clean-up group CUDS, dementia volunteer Jan Lawrence, canal litter picker Tim Goodman, towpath taskforce leader Joan Kelley and Devizes Leg Club.

Long service awards for those who have worked for the same company for at least 40 years went to Natalie Burt from The Pelican, Mike Aston from Devizes Town Council and David Ottaway and Alistair Hale from TH White.