Awards have been give to unsung heroes who have given their time to help the needy in Leicester and abroad.

Seven volunteers from the city have been recognised by The Trinity Life Church in Highfields for their commitment and dedication to others.

The 600-strong church runs a charity called Open Hands, which provides food and clothes for drug addicts, prostitutes, asylum seekers and the homeless.

Yesterday, it held its first Compassion Awards.

Celebrity fitness expert Rosemary Conley presented them at a ceremony at Moat Community College.

Colin Austin, 67, was awarded for work with Intercare, a charity that sends surplus medicines to Africa, and a Leicestershire police-sponsored award went to 79-year-old prison visitor Laura Williams who has been befriending inmates at Leicester and Gartree prisons for 20 years.

Mary Gamble, 87, of Age Concern Syston, was recognised for her fund-raising, and Leicester Salvation Army volunteer Chris White got an award for his work with the homeless.

Awards also went to Paul Bagworth, 55, a volunteer at the Leicestershire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, Bethany Rowley, 18, from the Focus Youth Action Team, and Ramesh Mistry, 50, of Age UK Catherine House.

Ms Conley said: "These people really are the unsung heroes of this city who work so hard for others without ever expecting any recognition."

She also thanked the church's ministers, David and Susan Hinds, for organising the awards ceremony.