Eight of Oxford's unsung heroes were rewarded for their voluntary work in the community by the city council.

One of Lord Mayor Maureen Christian's last official engagements in her post was to present the Certificates of Honour.

Sally Bainbridge, Barbara Guschtscha, May Lee, Beryl Mitchell, Bill MacKeith, Maggie Smith, Dan Patterson and Paul Stedman received the awards.

Sally Bainbridge single-handedly set up a residents' newsletter in central Oxford.

It has been running for four years and is especially valuable to the elderly and infirm.

She also launched the appeal for the restoration of a sundial at St Cross Church, Oxford, and supplies flowers to the church each week.

As well as visiting the sick and bereaved, Ms Bainbridge also volunteers for one afternoon each week at the Centre for Oxfordshire Studies.

Barbara Guschtscha has recently stepped down from being a member of the Florence Park Community Social Committee for many years.

As a result of her hard work, the community centre has become one of the best managed and successful community centres in Oxford.

She also provides a home visiting hairdressing service for the elderly, including residents of a sheltered housing complex in Boundary Brook Road.

May Lee has run the Northway Community Centre Luncheon Club for 30 years, benefiting hundreds of elderly people.

Beryl Mitchell has done a variety of voluntary work in Oxford over the past 22 years.

She has worked for the WRVS, is a member of the Rose Hill Community Association Committee, is vice chairman of the Rose Hill Silver Threads Group and runs a coffee morning for pensioners.

Ms Mitchell has been on the committee of the Littlemore Luncheon Club for more than 20 years. She still regularly cooks and serves meals to the elderly and is vice chairman of the Rose Hill Garden Club and helps run the annual horticultural show.

Bill MacKeith has campaigned for a variety of community issues such as libraries, nurseries, schools, hospitals and old people's homes.

He has served on the community health council and worked in schools educating students on basic rights in the workplace and trade unions.

He is also a human rights campaigner.

Maggie Smith, Dan Patterson and Paul Stedman helped set up and run the 13+ Youth Club in Jericho.

It started with no equipment and limited space, had children with challenging behaviour and is now a success as a result of their efforts.

Presenting the awards, the Lord Mayor praised all eight for their hard work.