A woman who has worked at the same charity shop for two decades and supported released prisoners has won the Loughton Town Council Citizenship award.

Violet Short was honoured for her dedication as a volunteer at the Save the Children shop in The Broadway, Debden at a ceremony in Loughton Methodist Church yesterday (March 1).

Ms Short was nominated by her shop colleagues, who said she has worked extremely hard and managed the "exceptionally well-run" charity shop for six days a week for more than two decades.

She also helps with prisoner rehabilitation and re-integration into the community through the Probation Service.

Violet was unable to collect her trophy from Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lord Petre due to illness but sent Save the Children colleague Joyce Shelley to collect it in her place.

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing said: “It’s lovely to see Violet being honoured in this way.

“She has done so much for our local community and for the Save the Children charity and she deserves our grateful thanks.

“We all hope that she will be better soon and able to go on with all her good work.”