LOCAL hero George Potten received a standing ovation after being presented with the winner's award in the Good Citizen category.

Mr Potten, of Popley, has worked tirelessly to improve the area after getting fed-up with disparaging comments and with people constantly moaning.

Although he is disabled and has been plagued by ill-health, he decided to take action himself to make things better.

He organised a residents' association and began to put plans into action to improve the neighbourhood near his Dryden Close home.

First on the list was to transform a piece of barren land into a prize-winning garden to celebrate the turn of the century and mark the new millennium.

Despite a number of setbacks, including not winning a lottery grant, Mr Potten's drive and desire to see improvements meant the garden was completed.

In 2002, it was named as Best New Entry in the Basingstoke in Bloom competition, and made it to the final three of a national design competition.

Mr Potten's work to improve the whole of the Popley community was singled out as an example of how one man can make a real difference.

Mr Potten, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and needs to use a wheelchair, was given a standing ovation after Dr Hilary Jones read out a moving acceptance speech which the winner had penned. In it, Mr Potten thanked his family for their support and vowed to carry on with his good work.

Article first published on Thursday, April 1, 2004