MISSED meals and working on Christmas Day has been the norm in recent years for our selfless winner of our Contribution to the Community Award at this year's Warrington Inspiration Awards.

Dr John Oates has worked tirelessly in his role as a volunteer Basics Doctor providing medical support at the scene of serious illness, accident or major medical emergency and contributed to saving many lives just by being there to provide essential medical care.

The Lymm man, who works during the day as a GP in Blundellsands but in the evenings, days off and weekends spends his time responding for free for the ambulance service, said he was delighted to win the award.

He added: "There can be five major traumas a week but being able to make a difference is what drives me and hopefully get there quickly enough to end a patient's suffering.

"It was really important for me to thank my family for their support and my partner Victoria for all the missed meals and late nights."

Other nominees for the prize included Jane Green for her fundraising work supporting a pulmonary fibrosis charity which saw her climb mount Snowdon and raise almost £5,000 and volunteer mentor for Warrington Borough Council Lindsay Mc Loughlin who has mentored two young people since June 2012 who were previously not in education, employment or training.