A TAVISTOCK College student has been named as the winner of the town's Lions' Young Ambassador of the Year Award thanks to her selfless work for the community.

Clara Wood, 17, was presented with her award by the district governor of Lions International after taking part in voluntary work and supporting local primary schools.

Lions Club member Alan Wroath said: 'Clara is a very worthy winner; she deserves the award not just because she is a wonderful ambassador for young people and not just because she spends a lot of her time working voluntarily, but also because she inspires others to do the same.'

Clara's voluntary work has included running a dance class for young children and a disabled young person, dressing as an ice cream as part of World Mental Health Day and visiting primary schools to support the curriculum with her drama group.

Clara has also worked with local environmental group Westden to help restore an outdoor play area at Tavistock Community Primary School. The volunteers cut down brambles, removed rotting posts, dug up dead trees and cleared rubbish, as well as creating a compost heap so children could explore the insect life within it.

Max Laithwaite, from Westden, said: 'Clara's ability to inspire others to volunteer and to be able to multiply her efforts by encouraging and helping others is truly admirable.'

The Lions' Young Ambassador was first organised in 1974 as the Lions' Youth Award.  It acknowledges young people working as volunteers and gives them the recognition they deserve, boosting their confidence and highlighting the charities and volunteer groups with which they are involved.

Clara said: 'It's really good to be noticed. My tutor group all volunteered to clear up the Molly Owen Centre's sensory garden and I couldn't make it so I thought I would arrange something for myself and get friends involved.

'The next stage at the primary school is to put flowers and plants in and create seating areas.'

Having won the title at club level, Clara now moves on to the district final in January where she has the chance to scoop £500 for the next stage of the primary school scheme. A win there will see her contest for the UK prize, then possibly Europe.