Showing dedication to protecting locals from fires has won a St Albans woman an award.

Janet Rawlings, a Herts Fire and Rescue Service volunteer, recently received the St Albans and Dacorum district volunteer of the year award.

She accepted the accolade at a recent ceremony from chief fire officer Roy Wilsher.

Janet said that since she began volunteering for the service over a year ago, she had enjoyed meeting “great people from all ages and backgrounds.

“I feel as though I am making a difference to the local community and the work we do is really important as it could save someone’s life, so that’s real job satisfaction.”

Roy said: “All of our volunteers give up their free time to protect Herts residents from dangers such as fire. We are extremely proud and grateful to them.”

• John Talbot, who has spent a decade volunteering for the Computer Friendly charity in St Albans and Harpenden, has been shortlisted for a national IT volunteer 2014 award. John trains “silver surfers” and disadvantaged people to discover life online, and keep in touch with distant friends and relatives. To register your vote for John go to www.tech4goodawards.com/vote by June 30.