RECEPTIONIST Liz Willis, who helps man the inquiry office at Marlborough Police Station, has become the force's first winner of a new award for civilian staff.

Modestly she said she accepted the cup and certificate on behalf of all the civilian staff and other receptionists at the police station in George Lane.

Wiltshire Police Authority chairman Bertie Woolnough, who made the presentation on Friday during a ceremony at the force headquarters in Devizes, said: "Mrs Willis is the lynch-pin of the inquiry office where her duties involve constant contact with the public.

"She goes out of her way to provide an excellent service and frequently assists with problems beyond the confines of policing.

"She is highly respected by the many organisations and individuals who have contact with the station for her knowledge of local policing issues, her extremely helpful and friendly attitude and her total commitment to the community."

Mrs Willis's husband Robert and their eight-year-old son Daniel, who goes to St Peter's Junior School in Marlborough, were at the ceremony, along with her dad Len Brown.

Mrs Willis is part of a team of three inquiry office receptionists and has worked at the George Lane police station for 12 years.

She said she had been thrilled to be nominated but had been overawed at having to receive her award in front of a large gathering.

"I don't know that I deserve the award any more than anyone else," said Mrs Willis. "I accepted it on behalf of everyone who works here."

At the same ceremony, popular village bobby Gary Sears received a long service award from Wiltshire's chief constable Dame Elizabeth Neville.

PC Sears was recently transferred from Marlborough, where he was beat officer for the Burbage area, to Pewsey. He joined the Wiltshire force in 1977 and during his service he has received a number of commendations.