A volunteer from St Albans who has dedicated more than 40 years of her life to helping adults with special needs has been crowned this month's winner in the Review's search for a community hero.

The Community Gold Award scheme has over the past 12 months given recognition to individuals in the St Albans district who make a positive contribution to society and make a real difference to community life.

Iris Lynch, of Canberra Close, St Albans, broke down in tears when she discovered her best friend Val Satchwell had nominated her for the award. But Val insisted it was about time the 59-year-old's contributions to the community were recognised.

Iris, a mother of four, was among the founding members of the Magpie club in St Albans, which supports adults with learning difficulties.

The club was formed in 1967 when Iris, then a teenager with ambitious ideas, and fellow members of the Alma Road Youth Club in St Albans hosted a Christmas party for the charity Mencap which also works with disabled adults.

Iris struck instant rapport with members of the group and decided that she wanted to continue working with people with special needs.

And so the Magpie club was born and it continues to thrive, meeting every fortnight at the London Road social club in Cell Barnes Lane.

Chaired by Iris, the club offers a social haven for disabled adults where they can mingle and enjoy a range of fun activities, including arts and crafts, games, barbecues and on the odd occasion a trip to the seaside.

And if that is not enough to keep her busy, Iris also juggles a part-time job as a school cook at Sandringham School with caring for 20-year-old Robbie Williams, who has learning difficulties. The good news left Iris speechless.

After taking a moment to digest her success, she said: "Thank you very much and thankyou very much to my friend Val for nominating me. There's a lot of people who do lots of good things, I really didn't expect this."

Val said she was "over the moon" for her friend's achievement.

"She deserves it," she said. "A lot of people say it's about time she had some recognition.

"She was crying when I nominated her, she will be howling I think when she discovers she has won. I'm sure she's going to be very emotional, even I feel choked for her."