Touching stories of Chester’s bravest and most courageous people were told at Dee 106.3’s annual Local Hero Awards last night (Thursday July 16).

A three-course dinner at Chester’s Mercure Abbots Well hotel in Christleton preceded a glittering ceremony that honoured the city’s unsung heroes.

The station’s drive-time host Gavin Matthews and evening presenter Irene Remelie jointly compered proceedings, with a little help from Town Crier David Mitchell, as they introduced those who had truly heart-rending tales to tell.

Dandy’s Topsoil were named Local Business of the Year for their tireless work supporting charities and the local community. The audience was told about their recent involvement in campaigning for a speed camera to be installed on Sealand Road after a serious crash, as well as their efforts with the #Food4Products campaign to help stock Flintshire Foodbank.

Gavin Matthews and Irene Remerie were the evening's hosts

The Eco Award was given to Peter Benson, Chester & District’s Friends of the Earth Coordinator. An advocate of renewable energy, Peter is passionate about the anti-fracking movement and works for a community start-up company ‘Energy Local’ finding new ways for communities to make the most of their renewable energies.

Cheshire Phoenix wheelchair basketball pioneer Anna Jackson received the night’s Outstanding Sports Personality Award for all her work with the team she plays for and coaches. A former GB representative of wheelchair basketball, Anna has been a consistent promoter of disabled sports and was praised for her efforts in helping and supporting others.

Pupil of the Year went to Connah’s Quay’s Luke Eddison, a year 8 pupil whose bravery in battling four brain tumours and still doing an excellent job with his schoolwork, all the time still managing to keep smiling, was praised by award sponsors The King’s School.

Laura Harris was given the Teacher of the Year accolade. Company director of acting group Chalice Media, Laura always makes it her mission to encourage and inspire others and she was praised for how many lives she had touched through her work.

Young Achiever of the Year was named as Chloe Young, who was praised for a manner of things including extraordinary drive and determination, but in particular for her help in caring for her younger brother who has Pataus Syndrome. Chloe often gives up her Saturday afternoons to attend play sessions with Chester charity SPACE.

The mother of brave Chester toddler Erin Cross was the recipient of the Parent of the Year award. Sarah Cross has been a tireless fundraiser, altogether raising more than £20,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital which she says ‘saved the life’ of Erin after the four-year-old was diagnosed with leukeamia.

Liza Millington won the Carer of the Year award who has spent more than 30 years providing care to others, in many cases after they have been abandoned by their own families. Liza is the General Manager of the Oak Grange Care Home in Mollington.

The Act of Courage award went to Chris Johnston and Lucas Cooper, two members of the public who risked their lives to rescue a 94-year-old woman trapped inside a burning house in Ellesmere Port last November.

Chronicle staff attended Dee 106.3's Local Hero Awards

Charity stalwart Margaret McKeegan was named the Volunteer of the Year , and was praised for her decades of fundraising for injured soldiers in the military, especially following the death of her beloved grandson who died in Iraq.

The final award of the night, the Child of Bravery , went to 10-year-old Maisy Versey, who selflessly donated her bone marrow to save the life of her older sister Jessica, who had been diagnosed with leukaemia. Jessica beat her illness but tragically died of an infection in June.

Chester-based charity Miles for Smiles were so touched by Maisy’s bravery that they revealed they had raised money to send her on the trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Paris next year.

After the ceremony, a Dee 106.3 spokesperson told The Chronicle: “It was a special evening for some very special people. Every single winner was completely deserving and it was a wonderful evening.”