A Banbury resident has become the first winner of the Community Champion Awards from a national charity.

Betty, a hearing dog, won the award due to her concerted effort to being comfort and joy to residents of a local care home.

She accompanies her deaf owner Wendy Martin to work at Green Pastures Care Home – meaning the pair can act as a perfect double-act in transforming the lives of the elderly in North Oxfordshire.

Ms Martin said: “Betty is always looking out for me, which is particularly helpful as deafness is not always an obvious disability.

“Betty is also a big asset for the home. In fact my boss says she’s our biggest asset.

“She is a real champion. She really is."