A STROUD District Council worker has been named as a Public Sector Hero at an award ceremony held at the House of Lords.

Resident involvement officer Stuart Strathearn received the honour from a community umbrella group called Locality.

Stuart was nominated by Nailsworth district councillor Emma Sims because of his work with community groups, such as helping them to set up as properly constituted bodies and applying for funding.

One of the groups he worked with included the council tenants and private owners on the Tynings Estate in Nailsworth.

Their residents association held jumble sales and applied for grants, raising £5,000 towards the cost of new playing field equipment.

Stuart said: “I was pleased to be put forward for the award. It’s amazing the difference a community can make when it gets organised and focussed on a particular project.”

Cllr Sims (Nailsworth, Con) said: “Stuart deserves this award because of his unfailing commitment to helping tenants and residents take a part in developing and empowering their community.”

Locality gave the award to 38 people.