A COMMUNITY group are celebrating double success after reaching their fourth anniversary and winning a Pride of Gwent Award.

Pride in Pill are a group dedicated to litter picking and helping the community of the Pillgwenlly district of Newport.

Because of this work they were awarded the Pride of Gwent Environment Award.

Chairman Paul Murphy established the group in 2014 and said: "I think it's wonderful and everyone is happy.

“In the first event we had about 50 people and collected 200 bags of rubbish. Now when we go out we collect 20 bags so there is a huge difference in the area.”

The group now has a committee of 20 people and has volunteers of all ages. Since they were founded they have held 180 events, including a Christmas party for the community.

One of the nominations said: "They are a group of people who just want to make the area near Newport, a safer and tidier place for the people that live there.

Mr Murphy added that the group were “chuffed” by the nomination.

"Awards mean a lot to us and the community,” he said.

"I hope by winning that people will be inspired to set more groups up. It would be lovely to get groups like this everywhere. If everyone set up a group it would look good for Newport because we led the way.

“I hope to see more people doing what we do. I do think people are respecting Newport more and using bins. People see what we do and think we do a wonderful job.”

This is not the first accolade the group have received. They were presented with the Queen’s Award by the Lord Lieutenant, Robert Aitken, for their “tireless work" in September 2017.

The group recently volunteered at the ABP Newport Wales Marathon and were on hand to clear snow from pavements in February and March.

"I would like to thank all volunteers," Mr Murphy said. "We wouldn't still be going without them and the businesses who have supported us. The Argus have also supported us over the past four years."

The Pride of Gwent Award winners will be featured in upcoming editions of the South Wales Argus.

They will be celebrated at an awards ceremony which will be held on the afternoon on May 25 in the Coldra Court Hotel where the overall Pride of Gwent winner for 2018 will be announced.

To find out more about the awards visit southwalesargus.co.uk/prideofgwent.