The hard work and dedication of community stalwarts has been recognised during a special awards ceremony.

Halstead Rotary Club has presented the Paul Harris Fellowship award to both former town mayor David Hulme and Halstead in Bloom.

The award is the highest Rotary can present and is done so in recognition of the outstanding work recipients have done in service of the rotary foundation or in support of the local or international community.

Mr Hulme, himself a member of the rotary club, was chosen for the award for his dedication to a variety of groups and causes in Halstead, such as Halstead in Bloom, Halstead Probus and Mencap.

Rotary Club President, Keith Brownlie said: “David’s contribution to the community is outstanding, not only is he an active Rotarian but he has in the past served the Halstead community as mayor for an unprecedented eight years, he is a well-respected member of the district council and he maintains an interest in many local charities.”

Halstead in Bloom president Maragret Eskins meanwhile collected the award on behalf of the horticulturalists.

Mr Brownlie praised the hard work, tenacity and dedication of the In Bloom team as well as all of its individual members.