Defrosting freezers and collecting prescriptions are not usually on the list of duties carried out by a village gardener.

But for Bill Hebert, 58, from Ferring, it's not just about weeding, planting and mowing.

He helps his elderly customers out with odd jobs around the house, such as decorating and changing beds, as well as popping to the shops for those clients who find it difficult to get around.

Now his dedication and generosity have been recognised by Age Concern, which has presented him with a Not Old Just Older (Nojo) award at an awards ceremony at The Dorchester hotel in London.

The awards recognise those who have made a difference to the lives of older people.

BBC producer Julie Mckenzie and actress Liz Smith, who plays "Nanna" in The Royle Family, chose Bill as the winner of the Quality of Life Award.

They were impressed by his commitment to helping old people in the village, which allowed them to stay in their homes and maintain their independence.

Bill, of Trent Road, Goring, who has worked in Ferring for 16 years, was nominated by the daughter of a customer.

He said: "I do it because I enjoy it. I get so much out of helping people.

"My motto is 'one good deed a day' but I am only paying my dues - one day there will be a bill."

The former factory worker, who works every day, added: "I get great satisfaction from knowing I am helping people.

"At first I do their gardens but once I get to know them, I start helping them with other things and it snowballs from there."

At the ceremony, Bill was introduced to the Prime Minister's wife Cherie Blair, who he described as "down-to-earth".

His prize was a glass-framed certificate, which was presented to him by music and comedy star Faith Brown.

Other celebrities at the event included model Nell McAndrew, Frank Bruno, Martin Bell, Lowri Turner and the evening's host Alistair Stewart.

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