Watford Borough Council’s Sports Development Officer has been named a “Heart Hero” for her work making people in the area more active.

Delivering the council’s sports development framework, Caroline Roche works with a wide range of clubs, groups and organisations to encourage people to keep fit, alongside those with the more traditional sporting aspirations.

Caroline was given the award by Heart FM in a ceremony at The Grove hotel after being nominated by Kate Jenkins, founder of Watford and Dacorum Cycle Hubs and Café.

Caroline said: “I was totally shocked to find out that I had been nominated for the award and even more so when I was announced the winner.

“I have to say I’m lucky that my job and the support of the council enables me to do all this for the community and I’m very proud to have won this award.”

Kate added: “Being a sports development officer is more than just a job for Caroline. She has a real appreciation of sports club volunteers and a willingness to help, guide and encourage them.

“She has a real ‘can do’ attitude that makes things happen.”

The council has delivered on the Watford Get Active programme of free and low-cost sport and fitness activities in the town’s Central ward to improve health in the area.

With the scheme now entering its fourth year, it has received hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding from Sport England and other organisations. You can see what activities are coming up at watfordgetactive.co.uk

Caroline also arranges free swimming and gym sessions for young people aged under 19 at Watford Central and Watford Woodside leisure centres during the Easter and summer holidays.