A PUB manager and a litter picking City trader were honoured at Leigh’s annual awards ceremony.

Sarah Mathis of the Crooked Billet, Old Leigh, and Lloyds reinsurance broker Grahame Harding, of Walker Drive, received Good for Leigh awards before hundreds of residents at the annual town meeting on Friday.

Both were recognised for having made an outstanding contribution to the town through giving up their time for the good of others.

Miss Mathis was described by town council chairman Caroline Parker as “really showing she cares about her fellow men and women” by raising £50,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care after popular landlady Kim Roberts died of breast cancer in 2012.

She has also raised money for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance after fisherman Mylo Browne, 23, was flown to the Royal London Hospital when he became trapped under a one tonne forklift truck.

“I was shocked when I found out about the award” she said.

“It’s just feels nice that someone knows about me and what we do here.

“We’re a local pub in a closeknit local community and both Kim and Mylo were a part of Leigh Old Town so I really wanted to do something for them.”

Mr Harding, 53, began doing regular litter sweeps of the town after becoming sick of seeing so much rubbish thrown in the streets, parks and on the beach and said he hopes to convince more to follow his example.

He said: “It started off as a quirky thing, but when I do pick up litter, people come up to me and ask whether I work for the council.

“I feel really proud and pleased they’re giving out awards for picking up litter. It’s a first step.

“We work very hard to live in Leigh. It’s a lovely town, but it’s being spoiled by people dropping litter.”