EIGHT people have been honoured at Poole’s annual John Jay Shield awards, in recognition of their work to improve community safety.

The shield was presented to overall winner Mark Phillips, who as an outreach worker with the Footprints Project supports ex-offenders.

Mark is the chaplaincy team leader at Borough of Poole, providing pastoral care for council employees.

He also supports other community groups, including Poole’s refuge for domestic violence victims.

John Slade and Valerie Old were named as runners-up and presented certificates from Poole Mayor Phil Eades.

John works as a volunteer on Dorset Police’s Ringmaster scheme, while Poole resident Valerie has successfully campaigned for a pedestrian crossing on Mountbatten Road.

Cllr Eades said: “It is always a pleasure to come to this event and see the fantastic work that local people do to make Poole a safer place, and I have to say the standard of this year’s winners is higher than ever.

“There’s some really fantastic work going on in a whole range of spheres - from school crossing patrols and getting a zebra crossing, to work with ex-offenders.”

Five other people were presented with certificates of commendation at the Civic Centre ceremony, which is backed by the Safer Poole Partnership.

They were PCSO Pete Raymond; domestic abuse victim supporter Jackie Wooster; Turlin Moor lollipop lady Diane Haskell; PC Steve Cartwright; and Bob Peachy, who runs Alderney Youth Club.

Safer Poole Partnership chairman Cllr Judy Butt said: “We’re so lucky to have such fantastic people working to keep Poole safe.

“The standard of nominations gets higher and higher each year and I’m always impressed by the sheer amount that these selfless people do for their communities.”