FIVE of Witney’s finest have been celebrating after being honoured in the town’s Citizens of the Year Awards.

Leading the charge was 11-year-old schoolboy Finley Halcrow for his “exceptional maturity” spearheading a campaign for better play facilities near his home.

The Blake School pupil confidently approached the town council in July last year after he became fed up with the lack of equipment at the play park in Cogges.

He said of the award: “I was very excited when I heard and really happy for myself.

“I’ve told all my family and just two friends at school.”

Witney town councillor Suzanne Bartington said: “Finley came forward with this fantastic project for the playground. He showed maturity far beyond his age, even suggesting benches for the elderly.

“We are really moving forward now. We’re getting an outdoor fitness facility and new timber play equipment.

“All this is because of Finley, this wonderful young chap who has been exceptionally mature. It’s really amazing.”

Also honoured were bus driver Andrew Coles, food bank volunteer Jo Cypher, chairman of Madley Park residents’ association David Bates and splash park fundraiser Deb Benn.

Mr Coles, 42, who is also a district councillor, said: “To be honest I was absolutely flabbergasted – it was completely unexpected. I actually had to ring up the council and ask what I had won for.

“They said it was partly because of my service on the buses – some passengers had written in. It was also for my services as a district councillor. I also do charity work for the RSPB.

“Witney is a fantastic place to live and work, and to be honoured like this is very humbling.”

Jo Cypher, 41, from Bampton – founder of West Oxfordshire Food Bank – was stunned when she received the letter.

She said: “Thank you to my community and to Witney town.

“It was a complete shock to be honest. It’s lovely to know that what I’m doing is appreciated. All I ever wanted to do was help others.”

Mr Bates, 56, said: “I feel very proud to be recognised. I’ve lived in Madley Park for 14 years and have chaired the residents’ association for seven. We have a very good committee. Madley Park is a very good place to live.”

Deb Benn, who raised thousands to create the splash park at the Leys in Witney, was also awarded a citizen of the year accolade.

The 39-year-old mother-of-two said: “I certainly wasn’t expecting it. But the take-home message from all of this is it just shows what can happen when the community and the council work together.

“The splash park was a big project.”

All five winners will be presented with a certificate on March 17 at a civic reception hosted by the mayor, Jim King.