Award success for Tyneside wardens

Wardens from towns all over the UK were praised

Community wardens from Tyneside have been praised for their work at an awards ceremony.

Hazel Burns, a warden from South Tyneside won the Personal Achievement awards.

And the whole team from South Tyneside's South Shields Wardens was commended in the Team of the Year category.

Ms Burns was given her award for "outstanding" work.

She was praised for going beyond the call of duty to harmonise relationships within the community.

Wardens are making the streets cleaner and safer for young and old Yvette Cooper

And Ms Burns was also commended for her work to organise events to build community spirit and combat social exclusion.

Presenting the awards on Friday, Yvette Cooper, Minister in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "The Neighbourhood Wardens are making a real difference to local communities.

"They are helping to get streets cleaned, anti-social behaviour brought down, and building people's confidence in their local neighbourhood.

"They are proving extremely popular with local communities.

"Wardens are making the streets cleaner and safer for young and old.

"For example, Middlesbrough reports a reduction in crime of 17% in just one year.

"Right across the country, wardens have been praised by local communities for the differences they have made.

"These awards recognise some of the most outstanding and notable examples of wardens who have gone the extra mile."