Young police cadets stole the show at an awards ceremony recognising Merton's volunteers.

Merton's Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) walked away with top accolades Young Volunteer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year at the Merton Partnership Volunteer Awards on Wednesday, June 11.

The mayor of Merton, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, presented the awards to 18-year-old cadet Tamasine Shears and 21-year-old VPC staff Raga Jeyamohan at The Hub in Bishopsford Road, Morden.

Speaking to an audience of 200 guests, Mr Jeyamohan, Volunteer of the Year winner, said: "Well done to everyone nominated, we are all winners. I am proud to receive this award, but truly without my team our work is nothing."

The evening began with a showcase of 28 volunteer groups, followed by inspirational stories of individuals, businesses and organisations who have given hundreds of hours of time.

The Employee Volunteer Team award went to Robert Myers and Jason Garrett of Loyal Brush Decorators, Innovative Volunteering Opportunity of the Year went to Merton Centre for Independent Living Engagement Project and Fulham Football Club Foundation community champions programme walked away with Best Volunteer Involving Organisation of the Year.

Chief superintendent Stuart MacLeod, borough commander, said "Tonight really shows how amazing our young people are in Merton. I’d like to congratulate our Cadets team, and thank them for all their hard work which these Awards reflect so well."

VPC is a uniformed youth organisation run by the Metropolitan Police Service, open to young people aged 13 to 18, with junior VPC units for children aged 10 to 13.