COMMUNITY champions were celebrated at an awards ceremony after a lifetime of dedication.

Mayor Jenny Cheng honoured the winners at the Oakwood Centre on April 27 after Woodley Town Council invited nominations.

Husband and wife team Norman and Beryl Freeman were among those to be selected for this year's citizen awards after 42 years of tireless support fort the Royal British Legion.

Norman is a popular figure in Woodley and is regularly spotted handing out poppy boxes to shops ahead of Remembrance Day.

He also leads the Armistice Day commemorations, which were originally held in the shopping centre, but now take place at the memorial in Woodford Park.

Beryl has supported Norman over the years and has also been very active with the women's section of the Legion, holding the post of branch and county president.

Another award was presented to Marc Surtees for his commitment to the development of women's football.

Marc has promoted ladies' football for nearly 12 years and formed a dedicated club - Woodley United Ladies - in 2011.

A special Mayor's Award was presented to Shelagh Flower for her many years of voluntary work in the community.

As well as being responsible for organising the Woodley Adopt a Street litter picking scheme, she is a member of the Berkshire Adoption Panel and was recently involved with Victim Support Thames Valley.

She previously volunteered at Woodley Pre-School and helped with swimming lessons for children with additional needs at Addington School.

Shelagh was also a governor of Beechwood Primary School and a Beaver leader at 3rd Woodley Scouts and was a trustee of Age Concern Woodley for 15 years.

The award was collected by her son David on her behalf, as Shelagh was unable to attend the event. Her name has been added to the engraved shield in the town council offices.