A tireless charity fundraiser has been named Billericay Citizen of the Year.

Church verger Norman Thompson, also renowned for his work with pensioners, was chosen for the prestigious honour by the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower.

Norman, of Stonechat Road, South Green, was picked from a long list of nominees sent in from all over the town.

Rotarians had a difficult task choosing a winner but finally decided the 72-year-old should receive a special millennium plate together with a framed certificate.

Norman left his job as terminal manager of Freightliner at Tilbury Docks in 1985 but retirement was just a beginning for his work.

He started a Freightliners retirement association, which now has 200 members, and went on to form the Great Burstead People Enjoying Pensions, still thriving after 12 years.

Norman then set up the south Essex branch of the National Freight Company Pensioners' Association and is still its chairman and secretary.

But he still found time to embark on another role as a member of Billericay Probus Club, of which he was chairman last year.

Norman has also been verger and sacristan at St Mary Magdalene Church in Great Burstead for the past four years and a member of the parochial church council.

He is chairman of the church's missionary committee, which has so far this year raised more than £1,500.

Norman said: "I do enjoy charity work and am involved in a lot of things. This year we've been supporting Little Haven Children's Hospice."

Despite his active charity work, Norman still finds time for gardening and is a model railway buff.

He is married to Jean and has two children and four grandchildren. The couple's family duties were extended a year ago when their son Jonathon suffered a major stroke at the age of 41. He still has some way to go in his recovery.

The competition's runners-up, who each received a certificate, were:

Joyce Norris, a former Basildon Council officer nominated for her continuing choral and charity work

Hilda Pearson, described as a caring neighbour with a listening ear committed to the needs of others

Audrey Pegram, who has for years masterminded the making and collection of soft toys for children in countries such as Kosovo.

Still working hard - Norman

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.