A PLAY leader for children with special needs, the founder of a newspaper for blind people and a teaching assistant have been rewarded for their work.

Volunteers from Reigate and Banstead were presented with community awards by mayor Dorothy Ross-Tomlin.

Paula Rice, 20, was named outstanding volunteer for her work with children with special needs at Reigate and Redhill YMCA.

Her proudest moment was when she saw a little blind girl with cerebral palsy and heart problems take her first steps in her walker.

Ms Rice said: "When you see these children over a long period of time and see them make steps you never thought they would you have to go back, you have to see how they progress. When I first started there at 18 I suffered from depression and had very low confidence. Those kids changed my life, that is the way I see it."

Michael Finch, 80, was recognised for founding East Surrey Talking Newspapers 30 years ago.

He is still chairman and the organisation provides 150 cassette tapes a week for blind and visually impaired people.

The tapes have 30 minutes of news and 30 minutes of magazine features like gardening and cookery tips.

Roo Harmer won for voluntary work at Brooklands School in Reigate where for ten years she has been a swimming instructor and classroom assistant to children who have severe learning difficulties.

She drives the school minibus and has helped the children grow vegetables in their own patch.

Heads Together in Redhill received an award for counselling 14 to 25-year-olds, many of whom were unable to talk to their parents and friends about problems.

Other individual winners were: Barbara Callingham, Redhill St John Ambulance; Doreen Miles, East Surrey Hospital; Edna Anderson, Horley Good Companions Club; Martin Johnson, Royal Alfred Seafarer's Society; Elaine Crossland, Home-Start; Jim Harmer, Reigate Priory Cricket Club; Olive Callan, Reigate and Redhill Live At Home Scheme; Barbara Prentice, Welcare East Surrey; Linda Cope, Woodhatch Park Project.

Young volunteers: Stuart Davis, 34th Reigate Scouts; Jason Walters, Reigate and Banstead and Horley Youth Councils.

Team winners: South Park Sports Association Development Committee; Gatton Trust Volunteers; Reigate and Redhill Live At Home Scheme day centre team; Norma Crane, Gladys Norris, Anne Mowatt, Martin Whohlgemuth and Tom Haddon, Age Concern Merstham, Redhill and Reigate.

Trustee awards: John Angel, Reigate Society; Edna Harvey and Catherine Fell, Home-Start; John Stoneman, Age Concern Merstham, Redhill and Reigate; Brian Hill, The Children's Trust.