PURBECK'S 'Volunteers of the Year' have been honoured at a special annual ceremony.

Fourteen parishes and towns across the district nominated volunteers for the awards, who were congratulated in front of more than 50 guests.

The each received a scroll and praise from Purbeck District Council (PDC) chairman Cllr Bill Trite.

Cllr Trite said: "I am humbled by the sheer volume of work done by the volunteers.

"We don’t make enough of the work carried out voluntarily in our communities so it is fitting that we take this opportunity to say thank you for your efforts."

This year's ceremony, at the council's headquarters in Worgret Road, Wareham, was the eighth to be hosted by the district council.

Cllr Trite said: "The volunteers are just the tip of the iceberg. They make a positive difference from which everyone benefits, often working unseen and unsung behind the scenes.

"The district’s volunteers are crucial to our towns and villages and, with ever-decreasing government funding, it is inevitable that we will be looking more to volunteers to plug the gaps.

"We owe you a debt of gratitude for all that you do."

The volunteers of the year were: Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle and Bere Regis parishes (joint nomination), Bob Holman; Arne, Cllr Vivienne Ward; East Lulworth, Annie Lovelass; East Stoke, Rebecca Cady; Langton Matravers, Bridget Mayes; Lytchett Matravers, the late Bob Miller; Lytchett Minster and Upton, Mabel and Mike Fraser; Morden, Lynne Amey; St Martin, Cliff and Sheila Watters; Swanage, Jean Gibbs; Wareham, Nigel Spiller; Wool, Dawn & George Crewe; Worth Matravers, Dr Andrew Langley and Ms Hilarie Lewis.

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