UNSUNG heroes who have worked selflessly for their communities have been honoured at a special awards ceremony.Around thirty people of all ages gathered at the Cedars Hotel in Stowmarket yesterday for the annual community achievement awards ceremony, recognising everything from work with young people to the disabled and neighbourhood watch.

UNSUNG heroes who have worked selflessly for their communities have been honoured at a special awards ceremony.

Around thirty people of all ages gathered at the Cedars Hotel in Stowmarket yesterday for the annual community achievement awards ceremony, recognising everything from work with young people to the disabled and neighbourhood watch.

The heroes include youngsters who have given something back to their local towns and villages, including Stowmarket High School sixth former Gareth Snell.

Gareth works tirelessly for the benefit of people of all ages within Stowmarket. He is a member of the "Pickerel Project" river regeneration group, a member Stowmarket Town Forum, tasked with implementing the suggestions put forward for the future development of the town by the Civic Trust Study.

He has been involved in the Town Centre Access Group for Young People, Stowmarket Town Centre Crime and Disorder Reduction Group and the Mid Suffolk Substance Misuse Group. Gareth was also a member of the Mid Suffolk Young Adult Council and is thrilled to be among those receiving an award.

David Oliver, headteacher at Stowmarket High School, said: "We try to encourage young people to try and take their place in the community. The school is part of the community and we are delighted some of our young people have been recognised for their work.''

The main criteria for the award is that people are residents of mid Suffolk and that the community work that they are being nominated for is voluntary.

This is the third year of the award scheme, organised by Mid Suffolk District Council, and award organiser Christine Jackson said: "What's impressive is that each nomination doesn't come from the district or parish councils, but from other members of the community."

n Those who won Community Achievement Awards are: Cyril Long, Claydon; Sue Swayze, Stowmarket; John Webb, Stowmarket; Jenny Straughier, Needham Market; Eddy Alcock, Debenham; Wendy Spencer, Eye; Kenneth Stockton, Walsham-Le-Willows; David Mulrenan, Brundish near Woodbridge; Anne Ciorra, Stowmarket; Daphne Walker, Wortham & Burgate; Jean Abbott, Mendlesham; Ronald Snell, Stowmarket; Marjorie Denny, Battisford; Geoffrey Scott, Stowmarket; Stella Jackaman, Onehouse; Sue Bailey, Barking; Peter Flatman, Mellis; Ann Squirrell, Stowmarket; Katie Ellis, Harleston; Marshal Revell, Syleham; Joy Ayre, Laxfield; Ellen Stannard, Stoke Ash; Mark Hitchings, Brundish; Derek Clarke, chairman of mental health charity Mid Suffolk Mind.

N Young persons awards were won by: Gillian Vanner, Stowmarket; Gareth Snell, Stowmarket; Katie Sparkes, Stowmarket; Matthew Shepherd, Stowmarket; Lucinda Spencer.

Bernard Pollard, from Walsham-Le-Willows, was unable to attend the ceremony, but was recognised for his tirelessly for the village for the last 60 years with local organisations.