Volunteers at a Devon charity, Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS), have been named as some of the most extraordinary retired people in the UK, having scooped the overall winners prize during the regional finals of the UK retirement housebuilder, McCarthy and Stone's, National Retirement Awards.

At a regional judging event held earlier this week at McCarthy and Stone's River's Edge Court development in Okehampton, the TASS charity impressed judges by their continued efforts to support the local community. The volunteers at TASS transport older people on outings and to hospital appointments, and provide 'drop in' clubs for outlying villages.

Following their win, the volunteers at TASS will go on to take part in the national competition.

Andy Lyle, manager at TASS, said: 'We were thrilled to be nominated for this award, it was a humbling experience listening to all nominees, who came as far afield as Swansea, representing a wide range of charities supporting older people. We were honoured when Derek Field announced that we were the regional winner and TASS would go on to represent our region at the national finals being held later this year in London. The award recognises all the work put in by our volunteers each week in helping to make a difference to so many older peoples' lives.'

Andy said it is 'wonderful' when a small local charity such as TASS gets recognised for its work by such a large national corporate organisation. TASS was also thrilled to have the voluntary work of one of its trustees recognised, as Bryan Podmore was also among the finalists for all the fundraising he does for the charity and his involvement with Horrabridge Drop Inn.

The winners of the regional finals will go through to the national finals, where overall winners for each category will be decided by a judging panel that includes former Olympic champion Dame Mary Peters.

The national winner in each individual category will scoop a prize of £1,000 while the nominee named as the National Retirement Awards overall winner will be presented with a cheque for £5,000.

One of those up for that prize is Tavistock retiree, Ann Tregarthen, who has scooped a prize for her commitment to charity during the regional finals. Ann battled stiff competition from fellow nominees to be announced as the South West regional champion in the category designed to honour those who give up their own time to help others.

She impressed judges with tales of her work with Operation Sunshine. Ann runs a team of people who send containers packed full of clothes, bedding, school equipment, furniture and bikes by ship to Africa. Ann and her team have worked around the clock for the past 20 years keeping Operation Sunshine running.

She will now represent the region in the national finals.