Two Oxford street wardens have dedicated the national award they won to the children who live on the estates where they work.

Mandy Wallington and Louis Arundell-Walker won a Government-sponsored Connecting Communities Award for their work with young people in Wood Farm, Barton and Sandhills, in Oxford.

The awards recognise excellence in community work. The wardens were awarded £500 to put towards projects in their areas.

Ms Wallington and Mr Arundell-Walker were praised for their efforts in communicating with, and supporting, young people.

Mr Arundell-Walker said: “This award is definitely for the kids. They’re fantastic and the junior wardens do a great job and make it easy for us to do ours.”

The pair went to Birmingham on Tuesday, where they were presented with the award at the Annual Street Warden Conference.

Miss Wallington said: “It feels really good to get something like this, though I don’t like to make a fuss.

“I’m just doing my job.

“I don’t like to be singled out, as there are a lot of very good street wardens in the city.”

Street wardens tackle antisocial behaviour by attending meetings and events, and patrolling the streets.

They report issues such as fly tipping, graffiti and litter, abandoned and untaxed vehicles, and ensure the safe disposal of drugs paraphernalia. They also work with schools and offer cycling tests.

Miss Wallington said she and Mr Arundell-Walker had developed a “great rapport” with children on the estates.

She added: “All the kids know us by name and come to us for things. It also means we get to know the parents.

“We both listen to the young people and they appreciate that. We might ask them why they do things, but we don’t tell them what to do.”

Junior street warden Connor Raines, 10, from Wood Farm, said: “They’re outstanding people doing a great job and they help us by teaching us not to do bad things.

“I’m really pleased that they got the award.

“Everyone is really happy for them.”