A caring pensioner who dedicates his time to looking after his vulnerable neighbours at an older persons’ housing scheme has been recognised with an award.

Frank Faulkner, who is 87, was awarded Colchester Borough Homes’ Home Care Hero Award at a glitzy ceremony at Colchester Town Hall.

Mr Faulkner, who spent 42 years as a nurse working in the Army, Navy and NHS, arranges tea and coffee for residents at Harrison Court in Mersea every morning and afternoon and a weekly meet-up every Wednesday.

He knows his neighbours so well he remembers how they like their hot drinks.

He even organises a film showing in a communal area each Tuesday and has been known to help residents with their shopping using his trusty mobility scooter.

In fact, Mr Faulkner has been a life-saver for some residents and uses the caring instincts picked up during his career to keep an eye on some his more vulnerable neighbours.

“I have always had the attitude where I want to help people,” Mr Faulkner said.

“We have got one or two residents who have dementia and I try to keep an eye on them.

“We have had a couple of residents who have fallen down in their rooms.

“I have realised they haven’t come down, gone to check on them and then heard their cries for help and called the emergency services.

“I do all of my own housework and cooking still and I go to the shop for people who cannot make it there, especially if they are not very well.

“If people aren’t well or can’t manage the trip to the shop I ask if they want anything.”

Mr Faulkner did his nurse training at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, before being called up for National Service in 1950.

Due to his skillset, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in Kenya and Korea in the 1950s.

Through his career he also spent time in the merchant Navy and worked at hospitals in the capital, where he lived most of his life.

However 14-years-ago he moved to Mersea where he threw himself into island life.

Mr Faulkner said: “I love the community on Mersea. I am a member of the Royal British Legion on the island.

“I actually used to be the official neighbourhood co0ordinator on the estate in Wandsworth where I lived in London.

“I have always had strong willpower to do things. I get out and about as I do not want to sit in my room staring at the walls.

“My relatives are always visiting and keeping me busy too.”

The Good Neighbour Awards celebrate those who go the extra mile for their community and Mr Faulkner was picked out for his patience, empathy and sensitivity shown in his commitment to help others.

He said: “I was surprised to get the award as I wasn’t expecting anything at all.

“It was nice to see the other residents appreciate what I do. We have some vulnerable residents who live here.

“I do not like to see them all on their own - sometimes people just need a bit of company.”