Forget the Grammys and the Oscars, Falmouth entered into the award season last week as the winners of Harbour Lights inaugural Community Hero Awards were revealed at a gala dinner.

The restaurant was closed for the evening as it welcomed the four shortlisted heroes with their friends, colleagues and family. With bubbly, fish and chips, cash prizes and a bronze award the event was a real celebration.

Pete Fraser said: "At the Harbour Lights we feel very much part of the town and thrive on meeting interesting, loyal and amazing inspirational people every day over the universal love of fish and chips.

"As part of our legacy of winning fish and chip restaurant of the year 2017 we wanted to extend the celebrations through to 2018. We can’t think of a better way of recognising how Falmouth is very much part of the unique offering we have at the Harbour Lights than recognising the heroes we have amongst us."

In December Harbour Lights launched their first search for the community heroes hidden in plain and were overwhelmed by the nominations they received.

The top prize went to football coach Ashley Blakely-May, for all the volunteer work he does with hundreds of local children. Ashley, who won £500 for Falmouth Community Football Club along with a trophy designed by sculptor Natasha Ratcliffe, and fish and chips for a year, said: "I was so shocked and a little amazed I had been nominated and to win was quite overwhelming. To know the children, coaches and parents had been part of my application was extremely touching and it means the world to me."

The runners up were Penny Phillips, of the Falmouth Mission to Seafarers; Robin Markland, of Warmth for the Homeless charitable movement; and Claire Allen, who works in the kitchen at the Dracaena Centre and the Salvation Army.

Penny said: "I was so surprised when I heard I had been shortlisted, I had no idea I have even been nominated. I will use the prize money on the facility as we have so many plans for improvements."

Robin added: "Being nominated for this award is lovely and I am very touched. The light it can shine on our aims of helping the homeless is the best part, that I am very grateful for."

Pete concluded: "What a wonderful evening shared with some amazing people. It's impossible not to be inspired and have huge respect for all the people within our community doing more than their bit and seeing the difference we can make."