A VOLUNTEER who has faithfully cleaned the streets of Haltwhistle for 14 years is an outstanding individual – and that’s official

Litter picker Derek Martin, who works at least four hours a day in all weather conditions throughout the year, was among the winners in this year’s Love Northumberland Awards.

He was one of several people and organisations honoured at a presentation ceremony at the Alnwick Garden on Wednesday, where awards were handed out by the Duchess of Northumberland. Derek was given the outstanding individual award for his work in the community.

Prudhoe High School won best young people’s project, for its two year initiative aimed at halting the decline in the population of bees.

Pupils researched ways of addressing the problem, and designed a garden habitat incorporating suitable flowers, and bee houses for solitary bees.

The youngsters also raised awareness of the issue at community events, produced a bee song and music video, and also appeared on BBC News.

Transition Tynedale won the best urban project award for its healthy produce initiative Edible Hexham, which has involved turning small neglected areas of land into havens of fresh fruit and vegetables, available for the public to harvest and eat.

Prudhoe Local History Society won ‘best new project’ for its St Mary Magdalene cemetery restoration, which saw volunteers transform the site with the help of other organisations.

The Allenheads Trust won best coast or countryside project for Isaac’s Tea Trail, the picturesque walking route named after the legendary tea seller and philanthropist, Isaac Holden.

The trail is nationally recognised nationally and recently featured on the Radio 4 Ramblings programme with Clare Balding, who visited the trail.

Mickley First School was runner-up in the school sustainable travel award, for a successful campaign to reduce the speed limit outside school, and to encourage more walking and cycling within their community.

Ponteland Community Partnership was highly commended in the ‘best new project’ category for its Old Railway Line Bridge Project, which has turned an old stretch of line into a treasured route for dog walkers, cyclists and walkers.