A CARING couple who devote all their time to building a sense of community spirit on a Newport estate are the second monthly winners of the Argus Local Hero award.

Champagne corks will be popping on the Duffryn estate when residents Jean and Trevor Watkins, pictured, receive their award from Swalec this week for becoming our winner for February.

The couple, of Kestrel Way, have been the backbone of the Duffryn estate for more than 25 years now, organising community projects and offering support to those who need them.

They were highly praised by residents who recommended them and many will be delighted they have received some recognition for their hard work over the years.

Jean said: "I am ecstatic, this is wonderful news, I'm delighted to have won.

"I have had so many telephone calls since being nominated in the paper and, when I went to drop my granddaughter off at school today, the children were all calling me the Duchess.

"Trevor and I would like to thank everyone that supported us and nominated us. It was a wonderful surprise. It is nice to have some recognition and to be appreciated."

As well as being a shoulder to cry on, Jean and Trevor have laid the foundations for the residents association and play a key role in Duffryn Community Link.

Jean volunteers her spare time to help with management matter at the local community centre and helps out at the local primary school.

She is also an Argus community correspondent for Grass Roots.

Trevor works voluntarily as the chairperson of the residents association and is a local Labour party member.

They plan to donate the £100 prize money to Duffryn Primary school to provide the children with new books or to fund a school project.

They will now go forward to the final of the award which picks one winner from each of the monthly winners.