COMMUNITY groups have been thanked for the important role they play within Hereford at an awards evening at the Shire Hall.

Hereford City Council handed out seven awards on Wednesday, May 15 as they recognise the work put in by volunteers to improve the look and feel of the city.

The Hereford City Youth Project award was picked up by the Hereford Society of Model Engineers, before the Friends of Blackfriars Rose Gardens were named winners of the Hereford in Bloom Community Open Spaces Project award.

For the community project awards, the panel felt the National Star College at Hereford couldn't go unrecognised for the work they do with young people with learning disabilities so were highly commended.

Third place went to roller-skating organisation The Core, second place to Herefordshire Lore for their work celebrating the city's heritage, collecting, publishing and archiving people’s memories since 1989.

Hereford Make claimed first place, they provide opportunities for a different way to engage, build confidence and help inform career decisions.

They were presented with a certificate and £1,000 cheque by Hereford's new mayor councillor Kath Hey.