A GROUP of conservation volunteers, a memory cafe and a teenager campaigning for improved youth funding are all winners of this year's West Devon Mayoral Awards.

West Devon Borough Council received dozens of nominations for the awards which recognise the efforts of people working to make life better for local communities.

The under 18 award for 2014 goes to Tavistock College student Rebecca Venning from Bere Alston.

Since 2007, Rebecca, who has just turned 18, has sat on a panel which awards money to local youth projects.

She runs her local youth club, has helped to build a youth centre in Princetown and volunteered with a local homeless charity. 

Her latest project with the South West Youth Panel will see her travel to Westminster to lobby the Government for improved national funding for youth projects.

Rebecca was nominated by assistant principal at the college James O'Connell, who said in his citation: 'Her selfless service and passion for community voluntary work and social justice is extremely impressive.'

Tavistock Memory Cafe is the winner of this year's award for an organisation or individual over 18.

The nationally-acclaimed project was formed in 1995 and meets alternate Saturday afternoons at Tavistock Area Support Services.

Eight volunteers run the service which offers help and support to people living with dementia as well as their carers.

Activities include fun memory games, musical experiences and social outings.

The project was nominated by former councillor Margaret Garton, who said: 'When it is expected that one in five 80 year olds will develop dementia, and there is a financial time bomb looming for the statutory sector, the Tavistock Memory Cafe as a voluntary sector body does much to alleviate problems for sufferers and carers.'

The 2014 mayor's green award has gone to Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation (StOC).

The long-running group of local volunteers goes out every week to do conservation work in the north Dartmoor area.

Recent projects have included clearing gorse on Ayshe Common, clearing vegetation to reveal Gidleigh Tor and drainage and pathway work on the Tarka Trail near Sticklepath and Belstone.

Nominator Celia Pitts said: 'StOC is now in its 22nd year and continues with many of its original members.

'I believe this organisation deserves recognition of all its voluntary hard work and achievements throughout that time.'

The winners and those highly commended in all three categories will receive their awards at a special presentation event on Thursday, May 1 at the borough council's Kilworthy Park offices in Tavistock.

Mayor of West Devon, Cllr William Cann, said: 'I would like to thank everyone who was nominated this year.

'We had a high number of entries and it was very difficult to make a choice from such a strong field of candidates.

'I would like to congratulate the winners and pay tribute to all our unsung heroes and heroines who play such a vital role in the community life of West Devon.'