People who work hard on behalf of the community are to be recognised in a brand new scheme dreamed up by Totnes Town Council.

Councillors have agreed to award a silver medal each year to someone they consider worthy of the title ‘community hero.’

The idea of some sort of award to acknowledge those who have done or are doing good works in the community was first mooted by the council back in March 2019.

But the idea was shelved – until now.

At their last full meeting, councillors voted to go ahead with the scheme after the Mayor Cllr Ben Piper and Cllr Georgina Allen defined how it would work.

Each councillor has until March 21 to nominate a ‘hero’ and the names put forward will be shortlisted by members of the town matters committee on March 28.

Then the full council will pick a winner at their meeting on April 4.

The winner of the Totnes Community Award will be announced and presented with a silver medal at the mayoral choosing on May 19.

Cllr Piper said: “This is something we have been trying to get going for a long time.

“It’s very dear to my heart and I’m looking forward to seeing the individual or group who we can give that to.”

It is hoped the scheme will evolve in future years to incorporate a group award, which will be marked with a certificate and a donation to the winning group.

The council also aims to reflect on the work community heroes have done for the town with an exhibition of the profiles of the winners, once the scheme has been up and running for a few years.

The initial cost of the mould for the medal will be around £50, while each medal thereafter will cost in the region of £25 to £50, said Cllr Piper.

The mayoral budget will pay for the cost of the medal each year.