A NELSON man who spends 12 hours a week working as a volunteer at a centre for physically handicapped people has been nominated for a national award.

Staff at the Marsden Centre in Nelson have put forward Mark Gott's name for a Whitbread Volunteer Action award for his outstanding contribution to the community.

As a volunteer at the Rigby Street centre he helps clients in a variety of ways, from working and talking with them to serving meals and shopping. The awards attract hundreds of entries from across the country each year but it is the first time the Marsden Centre has nominated anyone.

The award winners will receive a £1,000 prize from a total cash pot of £25,000. The money will be shared between the winner and the cause for which they were nominated.

Mark, of Bispham Road, said: "It's a great honour to be nominated for this award. I'm not even sure who put my name forward but I know it was someone at the centre. I've worked there for just over 12 months as a volunteer and I really enjoy it."

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