A GOOD neighbour dubbed "Mr Reliable" has been rewarded for his dedication and devotion to those living around him.

Mr Maurice Jackson has been presented with a surprise vocational services award by the Rotary Club of Bury.

The accolade is a fitting tribute to his years of unstinting work in assisting his neighbours in the 30-bungalow Halvard Court complex in Bury.

In fact, landlords Contour Housing Group were so impressed by his efforts in looking after the interests of the occupiers that they offered him a job as a liaison man.

Maurice, who is in his mid-80s, hails from the Durham area. An ex-RAF man, he worked at Bury's Transparent Paper company for 35 years and, together with his wife Phyllis, moved to Halvard Court in 1986.

Since then, he has become a familiar and much-loved figure with neighbours. Each morning, he strolls around the bungalows, calls on other residents, runs errands and collects prescriptions.

When neighbours fall ill, he and his wife are at their side to offer help, comfort and support.

He also carries out household chores for individuals and is the "contact" man and go-between for residents and Contour.

Despite his age, Mr Jackson is fit and active which enables him to undertake his daily duties. He said: "I'd no idea I was to get the Rotary presentation. I knew nothing about it and it was quite a shock. In fact, my wife and I were both flabbergasted.

"I was brought up in a hamlet in the Durham area and everyone there more or less stuck together. So, obviously that's rubbed off.

"In Halvard Court, we have quite a lot of single women and I help them as much as I can. I can change light bulbs, do their shopping and run other errands. It gets me out of the house and gives me something to do."

He was nominated for the award by Bury Rotary Club member Charles Fletcher. The organisation's vocational services award is given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the community and who reflect the movement's "service above self" motto.