Modest heroes were honoured for their tireless volunteer work at an awards ceremony last night.

Victoria Hall was the grand setting for the eighth annual Shipley Area Community Heroes Awards where people and groups were publicly recognised for their efforts.

The Area Committee, part of Bradford Council, asked people to nominate individuals and groups who live in the Shipley area.

Three outstanding achievement awards were chosen from three categories – adult, young person and small group who have worked together on a project with no paid staff.

The adult winner was 81-year-old Malcolm Leyland, who beat eight other nominees to the award. Thirteen-year-old twins Kieran and Bradley Jackson (above) came top of the pile in the young person category.

Bingley group the Friends of St Ives took the group prize ahead of seven other candidates.

Councillor David Heseltine, chairman of the Shipley Area Committee, said: “It was a fantastic event. There was a room full of nominees and their friends and family – it was a really good atmosphere.

“The event showcased the absolute breadth of community work that goes on throughout the Shipley constituency. It is an inspiring event that champions local people – there’s a real feel-good factor.”

The winner of the adult category, Mr Leyland, has lived in Baildon all his life. Baildon Moor plays a huge part in his life and he founded the Friends of Baildon Moor group three years ago.

Thanks to the Friends group, litter bins were installed and the Sconce Path was constructed.

Mr Leyland also clears litter from the Moor every week and has been a volunteer with the countryside service for 19 years. His nominator added: “Malcolm plays an active role in the community and is very much an unsung hero for all his hard work and dedication.”

The young person category was open to people aged under 21. Winners Kieran and Bradley, of Menston, enjoy voluntary work and support many groups in their village, especially ones with elderly members.

Their nominator said the duo had endured peer pressure that had not deterred their determination to do voluntary work.

Friends of St Ives, winners in the group section, was formed in 2003 and operates to protect and preserve St Ives. In 2008, the group was awarded £250,000 from the Communities Challenge Award competition, beating more than 174 other groups across England.

The money was used to improve and repair the estate, including work on a children’s play area, a pond, a herb garden and a visitors’ centre.

The group has also organised walks for carers, given presentations to local groups, as well as organising activities.

The Heroes awards are funded by the committee and open to anyone from the Wharfedale, Bingley, Bingley Rural, Baildon, Shipley, and Windhill and Wrose wards.