A councillor who dedicates her time to helping her community through volunteering and her Saturday school has won a community hero award.

Cllr Aga Dychton, vice chairman of Watford Borough Council, was nominated by her friend Ian Port for the dedication she puts into the community to help make it a better place.

Cllr Dychton aims to help young Polish people in her community through her Polish Saturday School in Watford.

The school, based at operates at Watford UTC, aims to help young people aged three to 18 not only to learn to read and write but to also teach them about their heritage, while offering them a place that feels like home.

Cllr Dychton said: “From a very early age I’ve always been very community orientated. From growing up in Poland to moving to the UK with my family.

“I’ve always cared about being involved in supporting my local community.”

The Polish Saturday School in Watford was launched in 2010 and now has 11 casual workers, 22 teachers, three volunteers and a board of trustees who include Anna Falek, Anna Ferreira, and Agnieszka Giemza. Aga says they all play a vital role with helping her run the school for more than 300 children.

She added: “The children love the school. It's all about them, it gives a great place to have fun and has a good atmosphere.

“I believe it's been a lifeline for lots of families. I couldn’t image if it didn’t exist, I always knew this is something that I wanted for the community.

“Since I have moved to Watford, I was passionate to get involved with local activities and wanted to help improve the town my family and I call home to be an even better place to live in.”

Cllr Dychton also volunteers for organisations and charities such as the Watford Women’s Centre.

Mr Port said: “Straight away when I met Aga I knew she was something out of the ordinary: the fizz, vision and charm came through.

“All that energy has been channelled into making Watford a better place. Impressively, Aga juggles the school with her role as a Central Ward councillor and, currently, vice chairman of Watford Borough Council.”