A group of people who give up their time to help others have been praised by Witney mayor David Harvey.

He congratulated 14 people as he presented them with service awards for the town's Volunteer Link-Up scheme.

The charity, based at Witney's High Street Methodist Church, links people willing to give help with those who need it.

They perform a wide variety of tasks, from driving patients to hospital to decorating and gardening the homes of the elderly and disabled.

Co-ordinator Anne Crawford (on 01993 776277) says they always welcome new volunteers.

Service certificates were given to the following:

15 years: Winnie Mills, of Schofield Avenue, Witney; Anthony Baynes, of Old School Hill, Minster Lovell; Kathy Delaney-Batten, of Farmers Close, Witney; Evelyn Jones, of Westfield Road, Witney; Bill Lowe, of Woodlands Close, Milton-under-Wychwood.

Ten years: Sheila Cuss, of Newland, Witney; Belle Pook, of Queen Emma's Dyke, Witney.

Five years: Prue Carpenter, of Viner Close, Witney; Alan Hall, of Riverside Gardens, Witney; David and Anne Kershaw, of Webster's Close, Freeland; Rev Geoffrey Marsden, of Wadards Meadow, Witney; Vivien Songhurst, of Abbey Road, Witney; Frank Ashworth, of New Yatt Road,Witney.