WINNERS have been recognised in the fifth annual Wyre Forest No Barriers awards.

A ceremony organised by Wyre Forest District Council was held last Friday at the head office of Wyre Forest Community Housing Group.

It celebrated the significant contribution made by individuals, businesses and organisations to improving access, service or employment possibilities for local people with disabilities.

The awards were set up in memory of longstanding district and Worcestershire county councillor Mike Oborski, who died in 2007. The project is based on a similar scheme in Poland.

Representatives of local private and public sector organisations were on the panel that considered nominations submitted from residents and businesses across the district.

The No Barriers Mike Oborski Awards 2012 went to King Charles I School Kidderminster for consistently going the extra mile to support students and visitors with disabilities, Bewdley Farm Shop for helping locals by home delivering and carrying groceries to the car, Bodenham Arboretum for treating people with extra thought and attention and Severn Valley Railway for specially adapting a period rail coach for wheelchair users.

The evening featured a welcome by Ray Brookes of The Community Housing Group, an introduction by Labour councillor Howard Martin and a personal perspective from Mike Oborski’s widow, Liberal councillor Fran Oborski.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted that the awards this year have taken a further step towards delivering what Mike originally had in mind.

“The scheme was never intended to be an award for clubs and organisations set up specifically for those with disabilities.

“Mike's vision, taken from the original scheme in Gdynia, Poland, was an award for those mainstream businesses, pubs, shops, cafes which, while providing a service to the general public, go the extra mile to ensure easy access to their facilities and a warm welcome to those with disabilities."

The guest speaker was Sarah Rennie, who provides a consultancy service for organisations to meet their legal obligations for people with disabilities. The awards were presented by Conservative councillor Stephen Clee, Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council.