NEWTON Community Centre has won a group Active Citizenship category at this year's St Helens Volunteer Awards.

The annual event, held at Haydock Park Racecourse and organised by St Helen's Council for Voluntary Service, aims to celebrate and recognise the commitment and dedication made by volunteers working in the borough.

The Active Citizenship award, sponsored by St Helens Community Empowerment Network, was the first of its kind to be awarded.

Anne Keane, centre co-ordinator, said: "We are all ecstatic at winning this award.

"It doesn't matter whether people have been helping here for six months, six years, or since we opened in 1987, anyone involved with the centre over the years, this is for them."

Newton Community Centre beat 16 other organisations to the title.

Michael Ditchfield, awards spokesman, said: "This group of volunteers each bring with them their own personal strengths and they know that everyone's dedication, commitment and determination can improve the quality of life for their community."