A KENDAL woman has been presented with the prestigious Wainwright Award for her tireless commitment to her local community.

Diana Horner, chair and secretary of the Kirkbarrow Residents' Association, was commended for her work in promoting the interests of the community and working for opportunities for all its members.

The Kirkbarrow Residents' Association is a voluntary organisation with a committee of 12, which works to improve quality of life in its area.

Recent projects have included the building of play areas, the implementation of a 20mph speed limit, community planting schemes and working to prevent cold calling.

"I am absolutely thrilled and very grateful to receive the Wainwright Award," said Ms Horner. "I was not expecting it at all.

"It really does mean a lot to me and is also quite significant as, not only was I born and bred in Kendal but my many years of local government employment started as junior clerk in the Treasurer’s Department of Kendal Borough Council, where walking guide book author Alfred Wainwright previously worked.

"Although Mr Wainwright, as he was known to us, had retired before my time there, his presence firmly remained through both his picture looking down on us from the wall of the treasurer’s office and also his prodigy and successor as Borough Treasurer, Percy Duff - another well known Kendal figure.

"So, in being given this award by Kendal Town Council, I’d like to think I’ve done them both proud.

"However, in having the great pleasure of accepting this award, I must also give credit to my fellow committee members and partner organisations.

"Without their help and support my work in the Kirkbarrow community wouldn’t be possible.

"It really is both enjoyable and rewarding to work with the residents and especially the young people."

The Wainwright Award dates to June 1989, when Alfred Wainwright donated £10,000 to the town council to be held in a charitable trust.

Each year the trustees of the charity seek to present an award to the person, club, association, society or other local body that has done most to promote the prestige of Kendal. The award was presented by Kendal Mayor Cllr Andy Blackman.