A Co Down woman has been named Volunteer of the Year for her contributions in helping transform the Ballygowan area.
Former nurse Iris Oliver scooped the title from the Council this week in the Ards and North Down 'In Bloom' competition.
She is regularly seen with her husband, Davy, planting and maintaining the raised beds and floral displays in her village.
Iris is also the Chairperson of the Ballygowan and District Community Association and has been committed to improving her local community and its environment for many years.
The Council said she has been pivotal "in helping to build and maintain attractive floral displays in the grounds of the village hall and surrounding area".
Earlier this year, she went out of her way to create a beautiful floral display at the Ballygowan War Memorial.
Working with other members of the community association, she successfully applied for grant funding from the Council and Live Here Love Here that helped to provide seating, raised beds and picnic benches in the area.
The mother-of-four told Belfast Live that initiatives like this really create a positive impact in the local community.
Iris said: "Doing things like that really put us on the map and people appreciated the planters, beds and benches so much.
"It gives people a lift that they need, there has been a fantastic positive response. We are just a wee small group of volunteers who wouldn't get a lot of money so we have to make a little go a long way - but sometimes it's the simple things that have an impact.
"Local volunteers are giving up their time to do this. Flowers and plants give off a sense of wellbeing too. It's really important the community work together and everyone gets involved.
"When we all worked together before we managed to raise enough money to buy a defibrillator - we pulled in schools, churches and everyone. It was fantastic success.
"I was a nurse for nearly 30 years and had to unfortunately give it up due to health conditions, so that was maybe a driving force for why I became involved in the community association. I wanted to feel useful, be active and give back."
Jason Aitcheson is this year’s In Bloom Young Volunteer of the Year. The Campbell College Year 11 student offered to help at Comber Community Garden and helped to look after plants in the area.
Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Trevor Cummings, said the competition caught the eyes of gardeners across the borough.
He added: "We have been absolutely blown away by all the fantastic entries across each of the Ards and North Down In Bloom categories.
"It is great to see the likes of Iris Oliver, who has done so much for our community, as well as young gardeners such as Jason Aitcheson - who regularly gives up his free time on Saturday mornings - recognised for their wonderful efforts. Hopefully, these awards will encourage them to keep growing!"
