VOLUNTEERS who monitor a CCTV system have been hailed for their efforts.

Supt Jason Wells, Shropshire's local policing commander, visited the group of volunteers at Oswestry Police Station's CCTV suite.

The team, coordinated by Oswestry Town Council's Jim Stafford, dedicate hours of their own time to monitor the cameras

Supt Wells presented volunteers, some of who have volunteered at the police station for almost 20 years, with a certificate of their achievement.

He also thanked them for their contribution to policing, saying their work enabled his officers to be out on patrol.

"It was an absolute honour to meet our volunteers in Oswestry."he said.

"The work they do is fantastic and we're hugely grateful for the very many hours they put in to support policing. The time they give up means officers can spend more time out on patrol, speaking to the local community and listening to their concerns.

"As we look to finding longer term solutions to local policing issues we're very keen we make our local safer neighbourhood teams even more accessible to our local communities and there is no doubt the work our volunteers are doing in Oswestry is absolutely crucial in freeing up officer time so they can do this."

Volunteers have given more than 150,000 to West Mercia Police in the last year.

Supt Wells added: "It was great to hear the very many different reasons some of the volunteers give up their own time to support us but it was really clear that the main reason is giving something back and helping the local community.

"It was a real pleasure to meet our oldest volunteer too, at the age of 99 he was certainly showing no signs of slowing down and just shows there really is no upper age limit on volunteering!"