IT was a celebration of the people of Southampton on the country’s national day.

The St George Community Awards took place yesterday at Southampton City College.

The event was organised by the Daily Echo, Southampton City Council, Southampton Voluntary Service, Mettricks and Southampton Solent University.

There were musical acts and theatre performances from city artists including sisters ten-year-old Malwina and nine-year-old Kalina Boryszewska.

Malwina said: “We have been practising for this event for a few months, it felt great when everyone clapped for us.”

The girls, who were born in Southampton to Polish parents, sung a selection of British songs in both English and Polish.

Four videos of Southampton businesses filmed by Solent students were shown.

The Daily Echo had more than 24 nominees for the awards and eight certificates were given to community heroes by Lawrie McMenemy and the mayor of Southampton Cathie McEwing.

Lawrie said: “I have been involved with this event for a number of years, every year it gets bigger and better. Southampton is a multicultural city and that was celebrated today.”

Organiser and former Southampton Itchen MP, John Denham, said: “The people who were nominated represented the city.

“We had people from all walks of life.”

The winners of the awards were:

l Beverley Dowdell and Lorenzo Geddes for the biggest contribution to inclusion in the community;

l Barbara Storey and David Adcock and EU Welcome who were awarded the Southampton multicultural award;

l Yellow Door for Supporting Southampton residents;

l Adam Manning and Friends of Weston Shore were awarded the Southampton city care for the environment award;

l Phoebee Corcoran received the young person or people who have improved the life and wellbeing in Southampton city region award;

l John Preston won the unsung hero award;

l Biggest supporter of Southampton people award was awarded to Southampton Sikh Seva;

l Lynda Walton won the Southampton Community leader award.