DEDICATED voluntary worker Betty Sheppard has won recognition for her efforts by being voted Ferryhill's first Citizen of the Year.

Betty was the unanimous choice of an independent panel of judges who sifted through a flood of nomination forms sent to the town hall

She is most closely associated with the Dean Bank Community Centre, which she helped to reopen, and which is now a thriving home to a number of voluntary groups in Ferryhill. Betty has applied for a National Lottery grant to help give the 90-year-old building a badly-needed refurbishment.

She is also an active member of the Friends of Ferryhill, which has raised £50,000 since its formation, and helps in a Red Cross charity shop.

Coun Edith Whitfield, Mayor of Ferryhill, presented the Citizen of the Year with a certificate, boxed pen and £100 for the charity of her choice.

She said: "I feel pretty proud. Voluntary work is something I love doing, I wouldn't do it otherwise.

"You don't get many prizes for voluntary work, nor should there be, but it is nice if someone comes along every so often and says thank you."

Friends of Ferryhill is to match the £100 prize and the £200 total is to be donated to the Ferryhill Forum, which is staging a weekend for learning opportunities in the village in October.

The response from the public was so high the judges decided to award two commendations.

Gus Hopper, a postman, was commended for his work with the local youth football team and John Oyston for his local charitable and voluntary work.