UNSUNG heroes have been honoured at a prestigious award ceremony.

This year’s Pride of Tendring awards saw a range of organisations and charities recognised in front of more than 200 people at a glittering ceremony at Clacton’s Princes Theatre.

The event was organised by Tendring Council for the sixth year to throw the spotlight on some of those people who do so much in the community without asking for any reward in return.

The awards highlight and reward those from many walks of life who make a real difference to their community. All the recipients are nominated by councillors.

Council chairman Jayne Chapman said: “It was a real pleasure to host the evening and see so many smiles on so many faces all round the theatre.

“We are so fortunate in Tendring we have so many who volunteer so much of their time to help others and help to improve their lives. They are the backbone of our society and give up a great deal of their time without any thought of getting anything back.

“However, it is great that we can give them some recognition by way of the Pride of Tendring Awards - and they really deserve their accolades.”

“Each year there are incredible stories and we only really touch the tip of the iceberg.“I would just like to say there are so many others out there who do good work and they are very special people who all deserve our gratitude.”

The awards were presented by Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Andrew Greenleaf, head of Gunfleet Sands Operations at Dong Energy, Mrs Chapman and Tendring Council’s chief executive Ian Davidson.

This year’s recipients included the Friends of Foundry Court Day Care Centre in Lawford, Bill Davidson, from Parkeston, who has helped to transform the village’s Welfare Park, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s Les Nicoll, Lawford Scout leader Gary Robinson and Acorn Village’s Ray and Heather Ablett.

The other winners were Emmanuel Church Drama Group in Walton, Dig4 Jaywick Community Garden Project, Cadows, Brightlingsea Family Support, Russell Milburn from Alresford, Dan Casey from Jaywick, James McColl-Smith from St Osyth, Elizabeth Massen from Thorpe, Clive Upton, Fryday’s Café in Great Clacton, Bill Kincaid and hearing dog Jimmy, Sheila Crow from Brightlingsea, Tania Hart, of Every Baby’s Special Hartwork and the Jaywick Toddler Group, Trevor Norris from Clacton Rotary Club, Bill Gow and Jennifer Inns.