TAVISTOCK charity West Devon Environmental Network have been announced as one of the winners of this year?s prestigious Guardian Charity Awards.

WestDEN received their award at a ceremony in London hosted by former England and Arsenal footballer Tony Adams, who has set up his own charity fighting alcoholism in sport.

WestDEN will put their £5,000 prize money towards funding several community projects.

Oz Osborne, Joanne Pridham and Anne Johnson from WestDEN attended the award. Mr Osborne said it was ?quite an honour? to be chosen as one of the five charities of the year from a list of 400 nominations.

He said a short video depicting the work WestDEN does was also shown at the event.

Mr Osborne said the £5,000 prize money would be shared among small organisations in West Devon who would be invited to apply for grants.

?It can be anything from sport to culture, but they must follow our whole ethic about sustainability.? he said.

Mr Osborne said he had spoken to the chief executive of the Samaritans at the event, and asked what was different about WestDEN in the judges? eyes, and he was told it was their ?far-reaching? work, which had included help during the foot and mouth crisis, and with employment and transport as well as more traditional environmental projects.

WestDEN now employs 31 people supported by 180 members and has seven trustees engaged on eight major projects. Work is also underway with project partners in India, Albania and the Ukraine.

The awards aim to reward small charities with an income of less than £1-million for their contribution to social welfare in this country, with the winners selected by a judging panel.

Simon Armson, Samaritans chief executive and chair of the judging panel, said the entrants in this year?s competition demonstrated the value of the voluntary sector.

?Despite having worked in the sector for almost 20 years, I never cease to be amazed at the sheer dedication and determination of the countless thousands of people who are willing to use their skill, experience and generosity in helping to improve the lives of those within their communities,? he said.

The Guardian Charity Awards, sponsored by Sainsbury?s are now in their tenth year.