A DEDICATED volunteer from Burnham-on-Sea has won a prestigious award or her services to the community.

Kay Barrett, who set up community group, Hands of Change, took home a Pride Award at the Police and Crime Commissioner's Pride Awards (PCC) on December 5.

The relentless community volunteer was nominated for the award by her niece and said she was thrilled to pick up the accolade.

"I am very proud to get this award," Kay said.

"From being told I would never amount to anything in younger years to getting this has proved those who have doubted me wrong."

The PCC Pride Awards, hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens, recognise the efforts of people in Somerset who go above and beyond what is expected to help others in the community.

Kay and 15 other worthy winners were presented with their awards at a special awards ceremony and lunch at the Police and Fire Headquarters in Portishead.

Kay set up the community group, Hands of Change in 2016, and began handing out shoeboxes filled with food, healthcare items and clothing to homeless people in the Weston area.

But she still felt there was more she could do to help and so set up a Facebook group which has now grown into a support network of more than 1,000 volunteers who help vulnerable people in Burnham and Highbridge.

Speaking about the group's success, Kay said: " It is amazing to see the progress we have made in two years.

“We are like an old fashioned community – our members speak to people, look out for them and people know they can rely on us.

“I was nominated by my niece for this award, and to win it is an achievement for this amazing team, not me as an individual, because without the goodwill of others our charity would not be possible.”

Kay says she hopes her award will inspire younger people to get involved in volunteering.

"I hope it shows the younger generation out there that they should never give up," Kay said.

"We all have a special something that one day we could use for good."