A BUDDING Leyland poet is to launch an award ceremony with a poem in memory of a community worker who died last year.

Sarah McLoughlin, 19, of Manor House Close, in Moss Side, has written the ode about the late South Ribble Borough Council employee, Vaughan Seddon, who worked round the clock to help youngsters in need.

Now she has been selected to read her poem at the opening of the Vaughan Seddon Community Achievement Award ceremony which takes place on Thursday, February 22, at the Civic Centre, in West Paddock, Leyland, at 6pm.

The 19-year-old student (pictured) recalls the time Vaughan helped her to find a place to live and hunted high and low for furniture to brighten up her home. He even encouraged her to sign up for a Preston College course so she could pursue her dream career in hairdressing.

Sarah said: "I'm grateful for all that Vaughan did for me, he was great. He was funny and helpful, and would drop anything for you. The award ceremony will be a chance for me to pay tribute to him."

The award was launched last year in memory of the dedicated youth worker, and nominees are people who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the borough.

The council has joined forces with BAE Systems, in Warton, Sawle and Company Solicitors, in Hough Lane, Leyland, Progress Housing Group and heating giant Baxi to honour these unsung heroes in memory of the deceased worker.