DARLINGTON mayor Charles Johnson has praised the Alzheimer's Society volunteer corps as ‘deserving a medal’ on a night when their services were officially recognised by the charity in Sedgefield.

Councillor Charles Johnson praised volunteers who offer their services to the charity for free to help people with dementia live well across the Tees Valley and County Durham.

The civic leader paid tribute to the Alzheimer's Society team at Sedgefield Racecourse in an event organised by the charity to officially recognise the role of their volunteers.

He said: "We attended the opening of the two dementia cafes in Darlington, so when we got the invitation to come along to this it was like the cherry on the cake to see all the volunteers together.

"I’m really impressed with the difference volunteers make. They deserve a medal for all the time and effort they dedicate to helping people with dementia and their carers."