From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, April 16, 2007

NOMINATIONS are being welcomed for this year's Devon Community Transport Volunteer Awards.

The awards, which aim to recognise and raise awareness of volunteer work in the transport sector, have been held annually by Devon County Council since 2000 to coincide with National Volunteer Week.

Last year's winner was George Yates, who has given 17 years service to the Braunton and District Volunteer Bureau as driver and committee member.

George, 77, from Braunton, said: "Volunteering isn't just about one person because we work as a team to help people less fortunate than ourselves. I owe the bureau a lot because I meet very pleasant people who appreciate a little bit of help when it's needed.

"The smile on people's faces is all the thanks you need and I wish more people would understand you can get an awful lot of satisfaction from volunteering."

George was nominated by Karen Dennis, a former colleague at the Braunton and District Volunteer Bureau, who said: "Mr Yates has worked tirelessly over a very considerable number of years for the local community of Braunton. He was a volunteer driver for about 15 years and has only just stopped because of health reasons. He now shops for the less able every week, sometimes doing three or four lots for different people at once.

"As well as all the work he does for the bureau he also helps at our local luncheon clubs for the elderly twice a week every week and has done so for as long as anyone can remember. A lot of people owe this man a big thank you. He deserves special recognition."

Anyone working voluntarily in the community transport sector can be nominated, and forms are sent to groups working in various areas of rural and community transport right across Devon. The nominations are then assessed by a panel and 12 finalists are selected to be invited, together with a guest, to an evening reception hosted by the chairman of Devon County Council.

Councillor Des Shadrick, Chairman of Devon County Council and vice chairman of North Tamar Community Transport Association, said: "Having been involved in Community Transport for 10 years I know the difference the service makes to people's lives, especially in rural areas. It's the thread that enables people to be able to stay in their own home and helps them get out and about for vital social contact.

"If you live in the countryside everything begins and ends with a journey and community transport is one of the great services that Devon County Council helps deliver."

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "All of our transport volunteers should be congratulated on their efforts. Their work is appreciated and it makes a massive difference to those that they help."

The person considered by the judges to have made an outstanding contribution to Voluntary and Community Transport is selected as the 'Volunteer Of The Year'. All the finalists receive a commemorative gift, with an additional prize for the volunteer of the year.

Nomination forms are available to download from Wednesday 18 April, by logging on to www.devon.gov.uk/community_transport

The closing date for nominations is Friday 11 May and the award ceremony will be held on Friday 1 June.

Notes for Editors:

For more information contact the Media and PR Office 01392 383262.

A photo of George Yates receiving his award last year is available.

Councillor Des Shadrick 01409 253578.

Councillor Margaret Rogers 01297 680384.