A COMMUNITY worker has received a top award for his work in supporting recovering alcoholics.

Alan Deans has won an Inverclyde Council Pride of Inverclyde Award for his tireless work with the Greenock Recovery Alcohol Support Project (GRASP).

Members of the group nominated Alan for the ‘Excellence in Innovation’ award which he was presented with at a ceremony held recently at the Beacon Arts Centre.

Robert Whaley, who is the treasurer of GRASP, said: “Alan thoroughly deserves this award and without his guidance and support GRASP and other groups across Inverclyde would not be in the position they find themselves in today.”

Alan, who is a community development worker from Inverclyde Council’s Community Learning and Development team, was very modest in his acceptance of the award.

He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working across the community of Inverclyde and this award is very much appreciated.

“However without the support of management and peers within Community Learning and Development, especially my third year student David Taylor, as well as the many great partner agencies I would not have been able to fulfil my role as effectively as I have done.”

Anyone who would like more information on the services and support provided by Community Learning and Development should phone 715450.

Or for those who are interested in attending the GRASP group, they meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Crown Care Centre on King Street Greenock and for more information phone Robert on 07766 692045.