A 14-YEAR OLD volunteer from Malmesbury has been praised for his hard work in the town, as he looks for an award to recognise his volunteering.

Ben Thornbury, of John Betjeman Close, has helped the town by doing general jobs around Malmesbury, including sweeping leaves, picking up litter, trimming hedges and aiding elderly people with their computers.

The Malmesbury School student explained why he helps people throughout the town.

He said: “I really enjoy helping people and want to keep doing it.

“I just want to make sure that everyone in Malmesbury can stay online, I do my best to help everyone.

“It would be nice to get an award, to prove that voluntary work does go on in Malmesbury.

“I followed my friend, Julie Taylor’s, lead and we still go out and help around the town.

"I do most of my work on weekends, but if someone needs help I'll usually go whatever the time.

"I probably help around 25 people consistently, as well as doing jobs that benefit the whole community."

One of his recent projects involved, Ben, Julie, and a group of other volunteers working on the alleyway behind Co-op, to prepare it for Malmesbury Carnival, later this month.

The work involved raking leaves, moving stones and brushing the entire path.

Julie, who does a lot of voluntary work with Ben, and provides tools, said: "He's just brilliant, he always comes so quickly whenever a job needs doing.

"It's in his nature to be helpful I feel, it's all he wants to do.

"It would be really nice for him to get an award, I think he deserves it.

"He just works so hard to clean up Malmesbury and make it a nicer place to live and visit."

Julie is struggling to find an award that could be given to Ben to recognise the work he does across the town. The council is also trying to find a way to honour him too.