A community stalwart from Ludlow who helped spearhead a £1 million project to restore the town’s picturesque weirs has scooped a prestigious award.

Daphne Jones was named Midlander of the Year in the Nationwide and Heritage Lottery Community Awards. Mrs Jones, of Castle View Terrace, said she was delighted.

Mrs Jones is one of the hardest-working community volunteers in Ludlow and is involved in a number of groups, including the Teme Weirs Trust and the Friends of Whitcliffe Common.

She helped the Teme Weirs Trust to raise more than £1 million so that it could restore a series of crumbling weirs in the river that encircles Ludlow.

And she has also helped raise cash to preserve Whitcliffe Common, a 51-acre wildlife haven that stands opposite Ludlow Castle and is home to many rare birds, plants, trees and creatures.

Today Mrs Jones said she was delighted to be named regional winner in the Nationwide and Heritage Lottery Community Awards.

She said: “We all work very hard for the good of the town. The Teme Weirs and Whitcliffe Common are both beautiful aspects of Ludlow.

“I’m proud to be part of a team of volunteers that is dedicated to preserving them both. In recent years, we’ve carried out a lot of work to ensure the weirs are preserved for future generations. At Whitcliffe, we also work tirelessly to ensure it remains a popular beauty spot and a haven for wildlife.”

Mrs Jones was nominated for the award by the Teme Weirs Trust for her fundraising for this charity. She is also a Trustee for the Friends of Whitcliffe Common.

Today Alan Poulton, who oversaw the restoration of the Teme Weirs, said he was delighted. He said: “We are all thrilled that Daphne was the winner. It is no more than she deserves.

“She is a marvellous lady who shows great passion and commitment for these projects. She has made a big impact on our work at the Teme Weirs and at Whitcliffe and is a deserving recipient of the award. We are very happy for her.”

By Andy Richardson