THREE major awards came to the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area at last night's Dunfermline Press/Central Fife Times Community Champion Awards.

Benarty's Michael O'Hare, chairman of the Benarty Events Group, won the Community Champion Award.

Michael said: "An honour I simply did not expect but it has come through the work of so many people who make things happen in the Ballingry, Lochore, Crosshill and Glencraig area".

Meanwhile the Heart of Gold award was won by Lochgelly's Eileen McKenna, Helen Ross and Christine McGrath for their work with Lochgelly Development Forum which has continued to promoite Lochgelly causes.

Helen said: "This is a real boost after the news in March that the town was to get £200,000 to develop a Mining Heritage site."

The Little Champion of the Year award was shared by Lochgelly's Ava Stark; Cowdenbeath Karate Club's Elize Bauld; along with Alistair King and Chistopher Paxton from West Fife.

The Charity Champion Award went to the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund started after the Crossgates soldier died completing the London Marathon last April.

And the Live Music Award went to the daughter of Ballingry Community Policeman Barry Smith, Deni.