STRATTON St Margaret Parish Council staff have won an award for going the extra mile to help businesses and neighbours around the parish during lockdown.

The Thames Valley Chambers of Commerce honoured the admin team with the Swindon Business Hero award and presented them with a hamper and certificate.

The hamper will either be donated to charity or raffled to fundraise for the parish council chairman Robert Jandy's chosen charity Swindon Young Carers.

The clerk submitted several reasons why the staff were worthy of receiving the honour and the award's judges were impressed by what they read.

The submission said: "As a parish, we have remained contactable throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to all residents, especially the vulnerable.

"We have organised volunteers, and matched them up with vulnerable people, to collect their shopping and medication. This is still happening, and some volunteers and vulnerable residents have become good friends.

"All of our parish council meetings have been held on Zoom, and are accessible to members of the public, if they had any concerns to raise with our councillors .

"We have arranged distribution of lots of books to care homes in the parish that one of our volunteers gave us. One of our volunteers has been making face masks to hand out to office staff, and residents.

"Our grounds team has worked throughout, keeping the area clean and tidy, including sanitizing play equipment to enable safe play areas for children.

"We opened our two allotments, once the government allowed us to do so, and this has been good for the mental health and wellbeing of allotment holders who kept at a safe distance.

"We have measures in place for people visiting the office, which include floor markers, hand sanitisers, and a track and trace form for staff, councillors, and members of the public to fill in when they visit the office.

"As a parish, we pride ourselves on being a part of our residents' life in these unprecedented times."

The award recognises and celebrates the inspiring, inventive and community spirit of local businesses and their employees throughout the area.

A TVCC spokesman said: "[We] want to give a platform to showcase the outstanding work that has been done by local businesses and their employees during the Covid-19 crisis in support of the community, by recognising them with a Thames Valley Hero Award."

Councillors discussed the win at their latest council meeting.

Coun Robert Jandy said: "Congratulations to staff for winning this award, it's a nice pat on the back for them."

Clerk Tracy Predeth said: "It's a collective effort and it's very good for the parish council to be recognised, well done to everybody."

The team shared the good news on Facebook, adding: "We couldn't have done it all without you, so this win is for you too. What a community!"