A WEST Somerset star volunteer was the recipient of an award at a ceremony at County Hall.

Jean Howe MBE was recognised for her commitment by ‘Somerset You can Do’.

Somerset Celebrating Volunteers asked members of the public to nominate volunteers deserving special recognition.

Successful entries from each district of the county and a winning voluntary organisation were selected at random by Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, Cllr William Wallace.

Winners had a star named in their honour and were presented with ‘star’ awards and certificates.

Jean, who has volunteered for 57 years, helps to run the Watchet Phoenix Centre, which provides meals for older people in the area.

She said: “We provide lunches for older people three times a week and that includes Christmas Day when we help to get people together and have lunch and hopefully send them home with some happy memories.”

Bryan Mitchell, manager of Somerset You can Do, said: “It has been a fantastic privilege to have coordinated Somerset Celebrating Volunteering, particularly the Somerset Star Volunteer awards.”

Cllr Wallace said: “Volunteers are unsung heroes who do so much without asking for anything in return, and I’d personally like to thank all volunteers in Somerset for their work and also Somerset You can Do for putting this together.”

For more information on becoming a volunteer and volunteering opportunities in your area, visit www.scvolunteering.com