A restaurateur who provided free meals to homeless people during the cold weather was one of the people honoured at the Stroud Town Awards.

Martyn Edwards, who owns Chicken Peri Peri in Gloucester Street, said he was amazed to win the Special Award for Social Inclusion.

“We have been providing free meals for homeless people for a few years. It is just something that we do,” said Mr Edwards.

He was one of six winners at the event held in Lansdown Hall. During the evening members of the Stroud Youth Forum and a group of Stroud High School girls who attended a conference on the status of women at the United Nations made presentations.

Socialite Cafe, which runs a suspended coffee scheme for people in need, and Sue Tomlinson from the Independence Trust, were runners-up in the social inclusion category.

Alfie Stephens, who runs the Access Bike Project, was named Young Person of the year for his contributions to local youth social, health and wellbeing.

Runners-up were three Guides from the Stroud Valley Guide group, Ellie Tripp and the Stroud High delegation to the United Nations.

Pamela Tawse won the Community Award for her long service and dedication to Uplands Care Service. Runners-up were the Street Pastors, Sue Griffiths and Sabrina Pace-Humphreys.

Mary Shiner has run a stall at the Shambles Market for more than 30 years and was named Trader of the year in the awards. Runners-up were David and Sandra Ireland and Simon Vincent.

Erik Wilkinson, who helped launched the Repair Cafe as part of his work with Transition Stroud won the Environment award. Runners-up were Gail Bailbrook and Marling School Eco-Committee.