A Wells woman has been named as one of eight winners of a BBC Somerset Make A Difference Award.

Maria Gregg was given the Great Neighbour award for helping make the neighbourhood or local community a better place to live or work.

Maria was selected from four finalists in the category, chosen from across the county.

The nomination for Maria said: "Every day she is doing something for the community."

She gathered donated medical supplies and baby milk for Ukraine, organises community events for her neighbours in Wells, is a volunteer with the Wells Community Network, and has also raised cash for the homeless, the Royal British Legion and cancer research.

Maria said: "I love helping people because I like to raise money for charities, I like helping neighbours. It's a whole community, the whole of Wells got together. I'm actually quite proud of what Wells offers because when it comes to supporting each other we do do an amazing job."

Make a Difference was created to recognise remarkable people across the country, marking their achievements and the contribution they make to their community.

The Make a Difference categories range from great neighbours and inspirational teachers to thoughtful volunteers and outstanding key workers.

It was set up at the beginning of the pandemic at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020. It was a virtual noticeboard for those able to offer help and those needing support. To date, over 9million people have interacted with Make a Difference across all 39 local BBC radio stations.

The winners were presented with their award by BBC Points West presenter Alex Lovell at an awards ceremony in Taunton hosted by BBC Radio Somerset on Friday, October 14

Nick Bull, editor at BBC Radio Somerset, said: "These awards just tell us something most of us already know about this county - that it's full of amazing inspirational and selfless people who go above and beyond on a daily basis making the lives of people within their communities so much better, easier, more joyful.

"We are truly lucky to have so many people like that here in Somerset.

"All of whom do it for no recognition, no awards, no acknowledgement, but because it's part of who they are.

"I'm so glad that with this campaign we get to say thank you to just a handful those. It's been a very humbling experience."

Chris Burns, head of audio and digital for BBC England, said: "We are delighted to announce the winners of these wonderful awards, which celebrate those individuals who have gone above and beyond, what most of us expect from people.

"In a world where the news can often be quite bleak, it is a way of showing off the best of people.

"We have really enjoyed hearing their stories and sharing them with our listeners.

"A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to nominated someone."

The full list of winners

• Carole Pearse, from Minehead, Volunteer for someone who makes a real difference to the community by giving up their time to help a charity or good cause.
• The Heart of the Village Project Stoke St Gregory, Community Group, for group who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within the community.
• Maggie Hague, Milborne Port, Fundraiser for going the extra mile to raise funds for a charity or good cause.
• Jen Freeman, Bridgwater, Carer for improving the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis.
• Maria Gregg, Wells, Great Neighbour for helping make the neighbourhood or local community a better place to live or work.
• Liz Gunn, Musgrove Park Hospital, Key Worker going above and beyond their call of duty to help others.
• Tim Walker, Taunton, Environmental Award, for helping make where we live more environmentally friendly.
• Sun Sander-Jackson, Somerset NHS FT at Musgrove Park Hospital, The Together Award for creating real change by breaking down barriers and bringing together people from different walks of life for a common cause.