THE highest achievers of a North-East police force’s special constabulary will be recognised for their efforts at an awards ceremony on Sunday.

Up to 200 people will attend the annual awards for the Durham Special Constabulary at Rainton Meadows, near Durham City.

The special constables, along with family and friends, will celebrate the achievements of individuals and the Special Constabulary as a whole.

Among the awards to be handed out is the Team of the Year along with individual awards for Special Constable of the Year, rewarding officers for personal and group achievements.

Durham Police have more than 130 volunteer officers operating in the County Durham and Darlington area, who give up their spare time to serve their local communities.

Special Superintendent Michelle Robson, who is based in Weardale, said: “There is an awful lot of work put in by special constables in Durham – that deserves recognition of some sort.

“The whole event is really about a pat on the back for the whole of the special constabulary.”

Durham Police’s assistant chief constable, Michael Banks, who is the national spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “In the last year we have accomplished a great deal as a force and the support the special constables provide to our resources is vital to the public.

“What they give is so much more than a few hours a month to their communities.”

The nominees for the Special Constable of the Year are Special Sergeant Adam Usher, Special Constable Neil Craggs, Special Sergeant Lee Redmayne, Special Constable Daniel Kempf, Special Constable Nick Tompkins and Special Sergeant Bradley Williams.

Nominations for Special Constabulary Team of the Year are the Durham City Specials, Peterlee Section, Seaham Section and the Darlington Section.

Chief Officer commendations will go to seven officers.