A MALTON couple have won a regional award for community spirit.

Malcolm and Julie Williamson have been announced as the winners of the 2018 Yorkshire Housing Good Neighbour Award.

The pair have been praised for helping out their neighbours, including keeping the area tidy and tending to a small allotment where they share their fresh produce with fellow residents.

Yorkshire Housing community investment manager James Haigh said: “Neighbours have also noted seeing Malcolm battling heavy winds to secure the street’s wheelie bins, despite being 80-years-old, and the couple are always first to collect parcels, keep the area tidy and generally help their neighbours.

“Julie and Malcolm are well-known in their area, they put themselves out repeatedly to help the people who live around them. I’m delighted we can acknowledge their hard work with this award.”

Julie said: “What an honour to be chosen for this year’s award. It means so much to us both.

"We try to help the community out as much as we can and we know that our neighbours try to help us just as much in return.

"There’s a great atmosphere here and we’re proud to do what we can to make sure it continues.”