An East Lancashire plumbing and heating charity that attracted the attention of a Hollywood A-lister has been named business of the year

Burnley-based Disability and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair, also known as Depher CIC, has been named local business of the year.

Nextdoor, the neighbourhood network, revealed the winners of its fifth annual ‘Good Neighbourhood Awards.’

With more than 5,000 entries, people came together to nominate the amazing individuals, groups and businesses that have supported their communities over the past year.

From acts of kindness to local initiatives, this year’s awards celebrate the goodwill and strength of neighbourhoods and the British public across the UK.

Founded in 2017 by plumber James Anderson, Depher has since helped more than two million people across the Lancashire area and around the UK get free heating and hot water in their homes.

It is something James is incredibly passionate about, and he and his team pursue close relationships with the disabled and elderly community so that Depher can reach those in need of assistance and provide lifesaving support in their everyday lives.

But it is not just heating and hot water where Depher supports their community. They order food from supermarkets to keep food on the table in homes around the country, put money in the bank to help family clear their debt and enlist the support of contractors in their network to help with odd jobs too.

James recently helped a family Northern Ireland who urgently needed their assistance with their energy bills.

Due to ongoing financial difficulties the family also had run out of food, so as a result, Depher cleared the bills for the family and ensured they have food provided by Asda for the next month.

It is this sort of commitment which has attracted the attention of actor, Hugh Grant who has donated more than £50,000 to Depher to support its important community work.

On the award win James said: "Winning the Nextdoor award is incredibly humbling.

“No one should have to choose between eating or heating and through recognition such as this means we can support even more people no matter where they are in the country.’’

Roisin O’Neill, head of community at Nextdoor said: “Reading through the entries received for this year’s awards, it is clear that community spirit is at the heart of British neighbourhoods.

“From individual acts of kindness to community groups and local businesses positively affecting the lives of others, we’re so incredibly proud to celebrate so many of their inspiring stories including our Local Business of the Year, Depher CIC .’’