WINNERS of Penarth's inaugural Outstanding Citizens Award have been announced.

The award scheme, run by the town council, aims to recognise Penarth residents who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the town.

The official criteria describes a potential nominee as "an individual who has consistently or through a single event made a positive contribution to the community of Penarth above and beyond what would be expected and receives little or no recognition".

The effort could be in relation to community spirit, social care, sport or the arts.

The first nominations were due in by December 31 last year and John and Marianne Guppy of the Wood Street post office and Peter Knowles and Andy Bradshaw of Hamptons on Glebe Street have both been successful.

Mr and Mrs Guppy have run their post office in Penarth for more than 30 years.

Their daughter, Sandie, who runs the Fig Tree restaurant on the Esplanade with her husband, is "extremely proud" of her parents.

She said: "I am delighted for them. They have been the heart of the community for so many years.

"I was concerned that they were going to retire without getting any recognition and I was sure people would want to thank them."

Mrs Guppy contacted councillor Neil Thomas from Penarth Town Council with an idea for the award.

Once the council had managed to put the appropriate protocol in place to allow nominations from as many people as possible, the idea became reality.

She added: "I felt it was only right and proper that they got some acknowledgement for their work. It is lovely that they won.

"They are friends to many people. They don't just sell stamps or send letters. Every community should have people like them."

Peter Knowles and Andy Bradshaw who run Hamptons on Glebe Street as well as Shore on the Esplanade were also winners.

Mr Knowles said it was "lovely" to hear the news that they had been successful.

They were nominated by loyal customer Helen Donovan on the back of the work they did to "save Christmas" when the official town festival was cancelled due to high winds in November last year.

Mr Knowles praised the idea behind the initiative saying: "You hear a lot of negative things these days so it is great to hear something positive. We are completely honoured to be nominated and win the award.

"The award is a great way for the community to recognise the work of unsung heroes in the town. Not only to recognise them but to look for them which

He said that they did not expect to win. We do things without expecting recognition but it is fantastic nonetheless. We are huge supporters of Penarth as a place to live and work."

The date for the reception at the town mayor's parlour at West House is yet to be finalised.

The next round of nominations will close on March 31 and anyone can put forward a candidate as long as they can provide evidence in support of their nomination.