A Leominster woman who has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes has been rewarded by her home town.

Denise Pugh was awarded the first ever Leominster Civic Award by the town council in recognition of her contribution to the “life and wellbeing of Leominster and its people”.

She has been instrumental in collecting money for Leominster’s swimming pool and the Renton cancer unit at Hereford County Hospital.

She also collected a 10,000 signature petition against car park charges in the north Herefordshire town and helped raise funds to pay for cancer drugs for her friend, the late Leominster firefighter Dave Taylor.

“I was quite flabbergasted when I found out about the award,” said Denise, who turns 50 this year.

“I wouldn’t have got it without the help of my friends and family.

“I am very proud of my roots.

I love Leominster, I love the people and I love Herefordshire.”

Denise says she is already planning a memorial service to Mr Taylor who died last September aged 48.

It will take place at Leominster’s Priory Church on April 16 and will feature performances by the Bargoed Male Voice Choir.

Proceeds will go to St Michael’s Hospice and an injured soldiers appeal.

Denise’s father, John Pugh, was a stalwart of Leominster’s Rankin Club and worked in the shoe trade in the town for 45 years.