Dressed in their best suits and most glittery dresses, hundreds flocked to celebrate the borough’s unsung heroes at an awards night.

Compered by Miles Otway from Radio Harrow and opened by Cllr Sue Anderson from Harrow council, this year’s Harrow’s Heroes awards ceremony took place at Byron Hall in Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Road, tonight.

A gallery of photos can be found here

The evening was kicked off with a talk from guest speaker Dan Thompson, a social artist and writer from Margate.

Along with writing for titles including The Independent, The Guardian and The Daily Express, Dan was praised by David Cameron for his use Twitter to promote community volunteering when he started #RiotCleanup after the 2011 London riots.

Speaking at the event, he said: "Your kindness, your generosity is what is important. You are all very important people."

More than 100 people were nominated for awards, many bringing friends or family members along to enjoy an evening of drinks, nibbles and networking.

Angela Hook, who attended the evening as a previous winner, said: “The hall looks very nice and I think it has been a much better venue this year – it is so big and open and the leisure centre have done a lovely job with the decorating.

“It’s been a very good evening, I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

Judging the hundreds of nominations this year was Cllr Sue Anderson, Margaret Matchett from the Rotary Club of Edgware and Stanmore, Superintendent Mark Wolski, Cllr Ameet Jogia and Khushal Shah who won the young volunteer award in 2014.

Cllr Anderson said: “As a member of the judging panel I have had the pleasure to read through all the nominations received.

“I am amazed at the diversity and impact of volunteers in this borough.

“Once again the task of choosing a winner was very challenging and I would like to thank my fellow judges in helping to select the winners in each of the categories.

“The nominees have shown outstanding commitment and dedication in serving the residents of Harrow and have been role models for us all in serving the community.”

A total of seven awards were given out during the night to a range of people of all ages and backgrounds.

To view our live blog of the night, click here, or serach #harrowsheroes on twitter.

Sarah Millwood, who volunteered for Resources for Autism, was presented with the Young Volunteer Award.

The Pertemps Bringing People Together Award went to Patricia Gates for her work with the Harrow Rethink Group.

Meanwhile June Skidmore received the Bank of Baroda Community Champion Award, for her work with Children in Need.

Sheila Jowers took home the Inspiring Volunteer Award for her work with Homestart Harrow, while Karen Harrison from 6th Headstone Guides was presented with the Gold Star Lifelong Volunteer Award.

The Volunteer Team award, which had more than 30 teams of nominees, was presented to the Independent Visitors for their work as mentors to children in care homes across the borough.

Jason and Jackie Bowles, who picked up the award on behalf of the group, said: “We were just about to leave but were waiting by the doors to see who the winner was, we couldn’t believe it was us.”

And finally, the Judges Award was presented to Chandulal Shah by Harrow Mayor Cllr Krishna Suresh.

To buy any photos taken on the night, click here.

Mr Shah, who attended the event with his family, has been volunteering since he was nine and has been honoured by the Queen for his services and inspired a whole generation of young people.

The 75-year-old works with charities including Time to Change and Mind in Harrow, aiming to highlight the stigma and discrimination in South Asian and other communities while promoting the services available to those who suffer from mental health conditions.

He said: “I feel very proud and very happy to have won, and have my volunteering work recognised.

“But it is not just about me – all I want to do is encourage more people to give up their time and volunteer. We need many more in Harrow and next year I want to see this room filled.”

This is the 8th year of the annual volunteer awards, which is run by Harrow council and aims to recognise the hundreds of unsung heroes that are helping out in their communities.

Cllr Suresh said: "I am so delighted to be part of this Harrow's Heroes presentation because I appreciate all the volunteers. You are our future. Volunteering is our future.

"All the nominees are winners tonight."

Cllr David Perry added: “We’ve got people of all different ages, different faiths and different backgrounds here.

“When you say smiles light up the room, it certainly has done this evening.”

Performances were held throughout the evening from flautist Caera D’Arcy, Kidology Dance Company, soloist Natasha Jones, and dance group East West Fusion.

The evening was rounded off with closing remarks from Marianne Locke, the divisional director of community and cultural services at Harrow council.