FOUR people have been recognised for their contribution to life in Lyme Regis as part of celebrations to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

Lyme Regis Town Council invited nominations for those who live, work or undertake voluntary activities in the town - with councillors agreeing the winners last week.

Margaret McConkey, a church warden at St Michael’s Parish Church, Stan Williams, chairman of the Woodmead Halls management committee, Colin Barker, a mace bearer, and Chris Hutchings, of Wessex Star Disco have all been recognised with the honour.

The awards were first introduced in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Owen Lovell, felt re-introducing the awards in 2016 was a fitting commemoration of the Queen’s birthday.

He said: “It’s nice to recognise the work that some members of the public do within the town, for the town.

“Those who received honoured citizens’ awards have obviously been nominated by organisations who feel their work deserves recognition.”

Mrs McConkey was nominated by Alan and Michaela Ellis for her "commitment and dedication" to the church.

Mr and Mrs Ellis said: “She gives hours of her time to ensure church life runs smoothly. She organises groups of helpers for maintenance days to help with the upkeep and fabric of the building.

“She has also given time to St Michael’s Primary School and Pre-school as foundation governor and many of the children think that the church is where she lives.”

The Woodmead Halls management committee nominated Stan Williams, who they said had been the chairman and a volunteer "for more years than any of us can remember".

Mr Williams' nomination said: “Every week without fail he spends a day doing jobs there. He is always the last to leave and lock up when we have very late functions. He helped build a new chair store and extend the old kitchen.”

The committee also praised Mr Williams for serving as a town councillor for more than 40 years and his work with the Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring and Ride and Bridport and District Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Colin Barker, who has been serving the town as a mace bearer for 30 years, was nominated by fellow mace bearer Derek Hallett .

Chris Hutchings was nominated by wife Jayne in recognition of the "huge amount of voluntary work" he does in Lyme Regis.

Mrs Hutchings said: “He works free-of-charge with his disco business and supports many of our local charities and groups.”

She said these included Lyme Regis Majorettes, Lyme Regis Brownies, the Great Christmas Pudding Race, and the upcoming Queen’s birthday celebrations.

The four honoured citizens have been invited to join the civic parade on Sunday (12), as part of the birthday celebrations, when they will be presented with lapel badges.

The parade, which includes representatives from local organisations as well as the full civic party, leaves Langmoor Gardens at 9.40am, leading to St Michael’s Parish Church for the service at 10am.