UNSUNG heroes were rewarded at a glitzy bash in Colchester.

Essex County Council held its first Who Will Care awards with winners from Colchester and Clacton sweeping the board.

Among those who won were Clacton’s Harry Suttling, who took home the young person individual volunteer award, Pat Newton, of Home-Start Colchester, who won the adult individual volunteer award and Clacton’s Paul Banham for the young adult award.

Only Cowards Carry, which was set up by Clacton’s Caroline Shearer after her son, Jay Whiston, was stabbed to death in Colchester, also won the voluntary community service award.

Eddie Baker, from Maldon, helps out at the Harbour Group, Age Concern, Tolls with a Mission and the Fellowship Lunch Club.

He also helps Mid Essex Talking News by cleaning returned audio tapes. He won the overcoming adversity award.

Leader of Essex County Council David Finch said: “I was delighted to be at the awards. I have been inspired by the many incredible nominations we received. This is a tribute to the range and depth of volunteering in our communities across Essex.”

Nominations poured in from across Essex for the awards.

The winners, who were announced at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, came from north east Essex in four of the six categories.

Essex County Council chairman Norman Hume said: “It was wonderful to see volunteers of all ages being recognised by the people they inspired, who were there to cheer them on in force.”

The awards were created to recognise people in Essex who go above and beyond for their community."