A DURSLEY woman dedicated to giving her time to others has been presented with the town's community service award.

Maighread Macdonald is this year's winner of the Lesley D Gale Award after being nominated for her commitment to volunteering.

The Lesley D Gale Award is organised annually by Dursley Town Council and recognises the efforts of individuals and groups in the community.

The award is named in tribute to Mr Gale, the last chairman of the Dursley Parish Council and the first Mayor of Dursley.

Maighread Macdonald was nominated by Lynne Cowle, a former work colleague.

Mrs Cowle said: "I used to work in a nursing home with Maighread and she used to take the residents out in her own time Christmas shopping.

"Anybody who knows here knows she is always running around doing something.

"Maighread would do anything for anyone. She is a pillar of the community, a lady with a big heart.

"I'm thrilled to bits that she has got the award."

Maighread is well known within the Dursley community and is involved in many community projects.

Her volunteering commitments include volunteering at Yercombe Lodge, acting as a school mentor at Rednock, helping at the Cotswold Care Hospice shop two afternoons a week and for more than 30 years Maighread has helped dish up dinners at the Wednesday luncheon club held at Dursley day centre.

However, despite this role of honour the mother-of-four is modest about what she does.

She said: "I just can't see why I've got it. It is a bit of a shock.

"I just feel I don't deserve it anymore than anyone else.

"The joke is that I am never at home and I couldn't do any of the volunteering without the backing of my husband Hugh.

"I'm a member of the Ladies Circle and the Inner Wheel and they are both service clubs so volunteering has been part of my life always.

"I just enjoy looking after and helping people."

Maighread was presented with the Lesley D Gale Award at last night's Dursley Town Council meeting.