TWO successful Somerset initiatives have been honoured for their work in making the county a safer place to live at the council's first ever Safer Somerset Awards.

The East Bridgwater Community School internal exclusion team won the Mainstreaming Community Safety category while Sedgemoor Turning Point's Katie Shilaker came third in the Outstanding Community Safety Volunteer of the Year category.

The awards highlight the contribution of those who have gone the extra mile in helping to reduce crime, improve community safety and recognise the innovate approaches to raising community safety issues.

Gloria Laycock, director of the University College London Jill Dando Crime Science Institute, presented the awards.

The East Bridgwater Community School internal exclusion team works with children to change their inappropriate behaviour and understand what causes it.

After receiving the award, headteacher Nigel Shipton said: "We are delighted to receive the award and believe the internal exclusion team works so well because it doesn't exist just as a sanction, but as a means of building positive relationships between students and staff."

Katie Shilaker helps to offer information and hard reduction advice to those affected by substance misuse and also provides a needle exchange service, information on sexual health and one-to-one support.

She said: "We are really pleased with the award. Turning Point in Bridgwater is really making a difference and we are proud to get this award for the first time."

Cllr Jim Mochnacz, Somerset County Council's portfolio holder for community safety, added: "There are countless people across Somerset working tirelessly to help make the county a safe place to live.

"These awards are a chance for us to thank some of them for their efforts.

"My congratulations go out to everyone involved."