A man has been recognised for his dedicated community service.

Wesley Mr Turnbull,has been named as a 'Community Champion' by MP Guy Opperman after he played an instrumental part in the upkeep and maintenance of the Heritage Centre which was founded in 1994.

The centre was created to tell the story of the people of the North Tyne and Rede valleys and the area's social, agricultural, and industrial history.

In the nearly 30 years since its foundation, volunteers at the Heritage Centre, including Mr Turnbull, have put on regular exhibitions for local people so they can fully immerse themselves in the rich cultural history of the area. 

Recently, Wesley Mr Turnbull, led efforts to expand the Heritage Centre site to offer a new tearoom service, 'Tea on the Train,' where refreshments are served from two Mark 1 railway coaches. 

Recognising Wesley Turner's volunteering efforts, Guy Opperman MP said: "The Heritage Centre is run entirely by volunteers, and the dedication and hard work that Wesley and the team have put in over the years to make this a truly special place to visit is remarkable. Wesley is a pillar of the community in Bellingham, and I wanted to pay tribute to him through this Community Champion award."