GOOD neighbours in Malmesbury were celebrated this week for the town's annual Citizen of the Year award.

This year the awards were combined with the annual town meeting and a packed house crammed the town hall for the event on Tuesday night.

Dozens of organisations and individuals had been nominated for three categories; citizen, young citizen and community group of the year.

Introducing the Citizen of the Year category, Malmesbury Mayor Steve Cox said it had been difficult to choose between the 12 nominees.

"These people are all diamond geezers," he said. "They have all done fantastic things for their community. We have to pick one person but they are all winners."

In the end, Athelstan Museum curator Roger Griffin picked up the trophy in recognition of his work as the driving force behind the museum which was taken on by a band of volunteers from North Wiltshire District Council at a time when few people were visiting the attraction.

Mr Griffin, who retires later this year, said he was humbled by the honour.

There was also a strong field for the Young Citizen of the Year with five nominees.

Malmesbury Town councillor Sue Poole introduced the award - a new cup named in honour of her late husband and former town mayor John Poole.

"He (John) thought very highly of the young people we have in the town," she said. "He felt strongly that their contribution to our community ought to be recognised."

The winner was David Cooke who carries out a range of voluntary work in the town, teaching at Malmesbury Music Academy, as a scout leader as well as working overseas through Operation Raleigh.

In presenting the award Cllr Poole said it was “because of the wide range of activities in which he makes a contribution and the number of young people in the town for whom he is a role model.”

He was nominated by artist James Yorke Moore who said: "David is just an outstanding young person who volunteers himself for so many different organisations in the town."

The third award was for the Community Group of the Year and the Paul Dove trophy, named in honour of the former town councillor who died in 2010, and was presented to the Athelstan Players.

Christine Mace, who accepted the award on behalf of the group, said members of the group were proud of their work in the community, which saw them regularly take shows to older residents at Athelstan House, Glovers Court and the British Legion.

The full list of nominees were:

Citizen of the Year

John Hughes nominated by Alison Lewis: Over many years this gentle genius has shared his musical gifts with children at Malmesbury School, the Abbey and the whole community.

Maggie Sutherland nominated by Margaret Sanderson: For inspiring over the last five years the sixth form students at Malmesbury School to raise at least £20,000 to finance the trip for disadvantaged children from Malmesbury South Africa.

Lyn Ashman nominated by Maurice and Val Cleaver: Set up Malmesbury Harvest Share to help people with excess fruit and vegetables from their garden distribute it to needy in the Malmesbury and Bristol area. She asks people to bring their excess to her house and she checks it all boxes it up for delivery.

Sue Alexander nominated by Andrew Carnegie: For all her work with the skate park over the years Graham Jobes nominated by Bron Maclennan: Puts himself out, does a great deal for local charity.

David Pictor nominated by Ray Sanderson: Has over the last 25 years worked and volunteered tirelessly for Malmesbury Youth Football Club. Now well into his seventies he still carries on.

Roger Budgeon nominated by Mike Elam, Angela Sykes and Jacqueline Tong: Dedicated to dissecting planning applications especially recent ones for large applications. Roger puts in a lot of hard work as Chair of Residents Association.

Deborah Gray nominated by James Yorke Moore: Chairman of Governors of Malmesbury Academy. She has presided over a time of great change, successfully guiding the school to achieve Academy status. The school’s exam results continue to go from strength to strength and it is a credit to the town.

M.E Batstone nominated by Ken Goudie: For having the towns welfare very much at heart.

Frances Goldstone nominated by Tina Robins: For quietly getting on with it, not making a fuss but doing a great deal.

Roger Griffin: Has driven Athelstan Museum for many years and is retiring this year.

Catherine Doody nominated by Jacqui Pycroft: in recognition of her many years of contributions to Malmesbury life. She has done an amazing amount for the town in her terms of office as Mayor of Malmesbury, and chair of the Tourism Committee.

Young Citizen of the Year

Lucy Johnson nominated by Chris (Manager of Malmesbury Oxfam) : 100% reliable, has worked for Oxfam since March 2011 when she did it as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme but has carried on giving great service to the community.

Kate Beazley nominated by Tim Gilson: Kate has contributed to a wide range of community groups such as the area board and the neighborhood planning forum. She is a highly articulate and intelligent young woman and is serious about working to improve her local community.

Amy Pointer nominated by Brian Milward: The ten-year-old schoolgirl raised lots of money (£1,000) for Help for Heroes by her sponsored swim of 23 miles.

David Cooke nominated by James Yorke Moore: Teaches at the local music academy, ‘Work Shadowed’ at Malmesbury Primary School, A leader of the Scouts, spent 3 weeks in Bangalore working with ‘Operation Raleigh’ and has been involved in the carnival for years.

John Luckett nominated by Mary Hill, Graham Allnett, Janette Williams, Derek Tilney, Frances Goldstone: Works hard as a volunteer for Malmesbury River Valleys Trust and Athelstan Museum, active in the scouts and looks after the lighting for Athelstan Players.

Community Group of the Year

Oxfam Malmesbury nominated by Steve Cox: For over twenty years Malmesbury Oxfam has played a significant role in the town, raising much money for worthy causes and employing many volunteers in worthwhile activates.

Athelstan Players nominated by Shirley Collier: Athelstan players are a community group with a strong junior membership. Not only do we put on productions several times a year, we also regularly entertain the elderly at Athelstan House and Glovers Court. This brings entertainment to people who cannot get out to attend our yearly productions.

Jolie Ryder nominated by Fred Gouide: Collecting old bikes, selling them cheaply, sending them to Africa and working with offenders.

Monday Club nominated by James Yorke Moore: Provides stimulating company and lunch for many old and disabled folk. The club take an active part in the community by joining in with the Carnival etc and encourage local speakers to speak to members.

The Raj Curry House: Takes great pride in being part of Malmesbury and helps raise money for Mayors Charity giving their time and free food.

The Sixth Form Students at Malmesbury School nominated by Margaret and Ray Sanderson: For raising funds over the last five years to enable disadvantaged children from Malmesbury South Africa to have a life time experience in England Malmesbury Abbey Bell Ringers nominated by Alison Lewis: This faithful band of ringers ring regularly for Sunday services, for weddings and special events.

Malmesbury Residents Association nominated by Angela Sykes and Jacqueline Tong: for their unstinting and devoted efforts for the town of Malmesbury in what has been a challenging year. Their expertise and professionalism has been exemplary as is the time that they have devoted to this cause.