THE winners of The Bolton News Lockdown Heroes Awards have been revealed in an online ceremony.

Television medic Dr Hilary Jones presented the awards night with excited nominees and their friends and family tuning in to find out who had won.

The night culminated with the announcement of the winner of the outstanding contribution award, which was presented to Dr Helen Wall who has led Bolton’s vaccine rollout.

Dr Hilary said: “All our winners and shortlisted finalists deserve the highest praise.

“There is a huge amount of fantastic work going on in Bolton.

“It is 12 months since the first UK lockdown began and Government restrictions started to affect every area of our lives.

“Amidst the uncertainty and despair, we have seen people from the whole of Bolton’s amazing community going above and beyond despite being faced with an unprecedented situation.”

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Outstanding Contribution ­— Dr Helen Wall

Young person of the year ­— Thomas Ainsworth

Shopworker of the year ­— Pravin Arjan

Education Hero ­— Jo Grundy

Community Champion ­— Martin McLoughlin

The Everyday Hero Award ­— Patrick and Carol Corr

Emergency Services Hero ­— Ricky Lomax

Carer of the year ­— Bolton Hospice

Business of the year ­— Colin Lowe

NHS Hero ­— Becky Hawthornthwaite

Environment Hero ­— Sylvia Crossley (Kearsley litter picking team)

Hospitality Hero — The Spread Eagle

Dr Hilary added: “The Lockdown Heroes awards are all about recognising and celebrating just some of those people who have put themselves before others in the most challenging of circumstances. Well done to all of the winners and finalists.”

The awards were sponsored by Bolton Council, The Forshaw Group, Stateside Foods, Toughsheet, MBDA, Cole Security, the University of Bolton, Bolton FM and Bolton Wanderers.

Editor of The Bolton News Steve Thompson said: “The event made me proud to be from such a brilliant town. Our finalists are all truly inspirational.”

A special 16-page supplement next Thursday April 8 will feature interviews and pictures from all our Lockdown Heroes award winners.

To watch the event go to https://event.sparq.me.uk/webcasts/lockdown-heroes-awards/