MAYOR of Blackburn with Darwen John Williams presented four civic awards during a coffee morning held by Darwen Civic Society at the Derwent Hall on Saturday.

This year the society's Civic Pride awards went to Jim Hacking for his roadside garden, the United Reform Church in Duckworth Street for its new church building, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for its Hey Fold land reclamation scheme and Hoddlesden Millennium Project for its success in creating a millennium green.

The award is given to groups or individuals who have helped improve the local area.

Secretary of the society, Brian Hilton said: "The Coffee Morning went really well --despite the weather, there was a good turnout and everyone seemed to enjoy the event. The Mayor and Mayoress stayed for about an hour and the event went on until 3pm."

The society's Christmas cards were also launched at the event and these are now available at Darwen town hall or at Sunnyhurst Woods Visitor Centre.