THE community dedication of three Ledbury residents has been recognised by the town's distinguished citizens awards.

The rewards were handed out at last week's annual town meeting in St Katherine's Hall, by Ledbury mayor, Coun Terry Widdows.

The former chairman of the Ledbury Civic Society, Mary Winfield, was honoured for 55 years of dedicated service to the town.

In that time, she spent 17 years delivering meals on wheels as a volunteer and she has also been a long-term member of the Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society, (LADS) as well as being a driving force behind the creation of the previous town plan.

She was also involved in the moving of the tennis club from Woodleigh Road to the Gloucester Road.

In announcing the award, Coun Keith Francis said: "We would be greatly diminished as a society without Mary. She epitomises the phrase, ask not what Ledbury can do for you, ask what you can do for Ledbury."

Next to be honoured was Griff Holliday. He is the secretary of the Ledbury Food Group, which organises a number of popular produce-related events, including the popular annual Big Breakfast.

Mr Holliday is also an active member of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party, and he makes regular detailed reports to the town council.

In making the announcement, Coun Allen Conway said: "He stood up to be counted."

Mr Holliday said, modestly, "The whole mechanism of the town depends on people volunteering, and people carrying on, doing things."

The artistic director of the Market Theatre, Paul Graham, was also honoured.

In announcing the nomination, fellow LADS member, Paul Epps said Mr Graham played a key role in the creation of the present theatre, which is on the site of "an old tin shed" which was once used for LADS productions.

Since 2000, when the new theatre opened, Mr Graham had been instrumental "in developing the range of artistic endeavours at the Market Theatre".

Mr Epps said this was down to Mr Graham's "guidance, drive and administration".

He singled out the recent live screening of London and RSC productions as one example of Mr Graham's good work.

Mr Graham said: "It's a team effort, and I am just part of a team."