A SHOP owning couple have been honoured by their parish council for their efforts during the coronavirus lockdown.

Bharat and Nisha Patel from Colne Engaine have been awarded the annual 'unsung hero award' for the their work in the community.

Now the the village's parish council has awarded the duo for their "unstinting work in keeping villagers supplied with groceries".

The pair run the Colne Engaine Village Shop and are a mainstay in the community.

The council ask villagers each year to nominate unsung their unsung heroes and this time the Patel's managed to scoop the award.

Vice Chairman Lucy Orrow said: "Each year Colne Engaine Parish Council ask villagers to nominate their unsung hero and we present the award to the winner at the annual Parish Meeting.

"As this year’s meeting has been postponed due to the pandemic, it was decided at our first virtual parish council meeting to review the nominations.

"Bharat and Nisha Patel of Colne Engaine Village Shop were nominated for their ‘unstinting work in keeping villagers supplied with groceries.

"Definitely behaviour above and beyond the call.’ As well as ‘trying make sure that every customers request for items if fulfilled…they have gone more than the extra mile during this crisis.’

"Also, ‘during the recent period when certain things were had to come by they made a special effort to source supplies for the village.

"They have made up packages for the vulnerable in our community often getting up at ridiculous hours to do all this and the shop has remained open for business throughout.

"Nisha is also a community nurse so already has her hands full.’

The pair were presented with the award in a socially distant award ceremony with Chairman Tim Everitt and Vice Chairman Lucy Orrow.

Other members of the community were also nominated by residents.

Lucy added: "Geoff Marcoolyn was nominated for ‘his hard work in updating the village hall and for organising distribution of our wonderful magazine.’

"Spike Townsend was nominated for ‘the idea, execution and management of the village Covid19 support hub….his recent offer to volunteer as a special constable…all the other support he gives our village.’

"As with previous years, the nominees are all deserving of the accolade but only one can win so Chair, Tim Everitt and Vice Chair, Lucy Orrow presented the award to Bharat and Nisha Patel in a socially distant award ceremony and thanked them for their support in this difficult period."