EIGHT people are celebrating after being officially named as Blackburn’s best neighbours.

Earlier this year the Lancashire Telegraph and Blackburn with Darwen Council joined forces to launch the borough’s first Good Neighbours Awards.

The Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and top regional religious figures united to praise the initiative aimed at recognising people who are making a difference in their communities.

Last week some of the top prize winners were guests at a town hall reception held to mark their success and present the prizes and special certificates.

And Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Kate Hollern said she and other judges had been so impressed with the quality of entries that a further 60 people nominated for the competition will each get a £25 voucher to spend at the Mall Blackburn.

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It was lovely to meet these good neighbours who really do make life on their streets better.”

Mayor Coun Salim Mulla, who presented awards to five winners said: “You really are all a big credit to the community because of the work you do.”

As well as the prizes listed below each of the eight top winners will also be offered the chance to see a home game and enjoy corporate hospitality at Ewood Park as a guest of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

And 11-year-olds nominated for their neighbourliness are to be taken to Brockhall to see Rovers’ players in training.

The first two winners are Maurice Ffelan, of Whalley New Road, and Richard Grimshaw, of Lawrence Street, who each receive a break for two including a day at Wimbledon during the world-famous Grand Slam tennis championships on finals weekend courtesy of Newmarket Holidays and Capita.

Maurice is honoured for his volunteering work in the Roe Lee area while Richard is a key figure in helping with a drop-in centre project in Wensley Fold.

A meal for two at the acclaimed The Pack, restaurant and bar, Belthorn is the prize for each of the next two winners, Anne Slater of Downham Street and Beth Gregory of Blackamoor Road, Guide.

Anne volunteers at the Thomas Project at St Anne’s House, France Street, Blackburn and Beth helps fellow residents of Guide, especially the elderly, in a wide variety of ways.

Lesley Clough of Swallowfields wins a full set of nails of a manicure at specialists The Nail Room, Bolton Road, Blackburn, after being nominated for working hard, especially during the winter months, to make life easier for fellow residents of Pleckgate. Three further winners each receive a £50 voucher to spend in The Mall, Blackburn. They are Barrett Palmer, of Exeter Street, Nafisa Mofala, of Walter Street, and Ali Duxbury, of Sandy Lane, Lower Darwen.

Doing charity work for Asda, and shopping for elderly and disabled neighbours are among the neighbourly deeds Bharrat was nominated for while Nafisa worked hard to ensure people stayed safe during a freezing winter and Ali was praised for a variety of efforts to make Lower Darwen a better place to live.