Three residents have been honoured with the highest award Liskeard can bestow on an individual.

Annie Purdon, Brian Oldham and Martin Gilbert have been made honoured burgesses by the town council.

Annie was recognised for charity work, Brian for helping to keep the town’s history alive and Martin for his voluntary work.

Each received a certificate and medal. Town clerk Stephen Vinson has also been given an award for 35 years of local government service.

Mayor Simon Cassidy, who made the presentations, said: “It is a true privilege to recognise these three real-life Liskeard heroes who have given so much to our community.

“Martin Gilbert, is one of the backbones of Liskeard. He runs his store during the day and in the evenings and at weekends Martin rolls up his sleeves and is first to volunteer his services in and around the town. He is a mastermind of the Lights Up event, up and down ladders stringing up lights and decorations and helping to erect the Christmas tree on the Parade. Ask him how many metres of bunting are needed to cover Liskeard town centre, and he’ll tell you to the centimetre!

“Liskeard owes this modest community-minded citizen a huge debt.”

The mayor said Annie Purdon had been and was involved in much charity work.

He said: “Like most of us, when you volunteer for one thing, you tend to get involved in other things. This can be said of Annie too. For as well as all the volunteering, she decided to join the town council.”

He went on to say that Annie served on the council for 15 years and was mayor for two years.

Cllr Cassidy said: “Brian Oldham volunteered with the National Trust at Lanhydrock and spent many hours in the local history room in Liskeard Library, the archive of the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society in Stuart House and the research room of Liskeard and District Museum where he developed a deep interest in all aspects of Liskeard’s varied history.

“He is in his sixth year of volunteering at the museum and his fifth as president of the Old Cornwall Society.

“Brian keeps Cornish traditions alive while bringing the town to the attention of the wider public.

“He is well qualified to lead his walking group on fortnightly rambles.

“We know that events such as Liskeard Unlocked wouldn’t be as great as they are without his help.”

The mayor said that Brian had helped Liskeard to gain a reputation across the county as a town that is proud of its heritage.

He said: “Brian can often be seen litter picking near his home and was amongst a group of volunteers who worked at St Keyne Well and Lock 21 on the old canal at Lamellion to keep them clear of the ever-present weeds and brambles.”

The mayor presented the award to the town clerk and said: “Stephen Vinson has devoted his life to serving Cornwall.

“As Liskeard town clerk, he is the guiding light for our council and a friend and mentor to many a councillor past and present.”

The town council has also agreed to honour Liskeard Silver Band with the freedom of the town to mark its 190 years of service to the community.