Hertfordshire groups and people recognised in the annual High Sheriff's Awards.

Almost 150 people, including representatives from district and county councils, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, The Prince’s Trust and voluntary and community sector, joined this year’s High Sheriff, Mr Fergus McMullen.

The Y-Team Project run by YMCA Central and West Herts and Youth Connexions, which runs out of a community centre in Leavesden, received a highly commended certificate from the National Crimebeat Awards which are focused on recognising innovative and successful crime prevention projects carried out by young people.

Five finalists received £1,000, including Emmaus St Albans for their work with the homeless.

The other winners were Mediation Hertfordshire for their community mediation work, The Gifted for their programmes helping to raise the aspirations and improve the lives of young people in Waltham Cross, The BLAST Foundation who provide mentoring to ex-offenders both while in prison and on release and Charis Tiwala, a charity offering support and assistance to anyone in the county who is affected by human trafficking or sexual exploitation within the sex industry.

Winners of the High Sheriff’s Grants included The Living Room, Resolve, Stevenage Boxing Club, HACRO and Playskill.

Mr McMullen said: "What an amazing year I have had – I thought I knew Hertfordshire pretty well having lived and worked here all my life but no, I only really knew it geographically.

"It’s only when you visit places and meet the people that make an effort do you fully understand how much excellent work is being done.

"What staggered me more was that a lot of this effort was done on a voluntary basis – good people giving their time to help and support others.

"My year has come to an end and I have found it the most amazing of years – I have learnt so much more about Hertfordshire and the wonderful people that help it to be such a great place to work and live in.

"A big thank you to all the Award Winners and the teams that have attended tonight, it wouldn’t work so well without you and much more importantly nor would Hertfordshire."

Mr McMullen will hand over to the incoming High Sheriff for 2015/2016, Mr Jonathan Trower, at the end of the month.