A MOTHER and son from Winkleigh and a woman from Lifton have been recognised by the High Sheriff of Devon for their exemplary acts of good citizenship.

Lesley Fathers and Ashley Cousins from Winkleigh and Eve Atkinson have been recognised by High Sheriff Robin Barlow for their courage in dealing with the consequences of a crash or collision on Devon's roads.

They all give their time to speak at presentations all over the county as part of a road safety initiative called Learn2Live, informing people about the potential dangers on Devon's roads.

The trio all talk about their own personal stories in order to contribute towards this important road safety scheme. The aim of the project is to inform students about the dangers caused by speeding, drink driving and distractions such as using mobile phones.

They received awards from the High Sheriff on February 6 at a special ceremony at County Hall.

High Sheriff Robin Barlow said: 'These people are a remarkable group of individuals, each of whom in their own quiet way has been doing something very special.

'I am delighted to be able to present an award to them. They are a credit to their community and county.

'These people are very often part of a team and as such epitomise the extraordinarily strong ethos of volunteering in communities that I have witnessed in my travels round the county as High Sheriff.

'Many of them are helping those who find themselves in a difficult position through no fault of their own.

'I also applaud those who have carried out acts of selfless good citizenship, sometimes performed at considerable personal risk.

'There are many more residents in the county who also work tirelessly and often voluntarily for the good of others, and these awards I feel, are representative of so many others.'