EAST Renfrewshire’s ‘High Street heroes’ have been honoured for their efforts during the Covid crisis.

The tireless dedication of people who have supported those around them throughout the pandemic was celebrated as part of the Scotland Loves Local campaign.

Regional champion for East Renfrewshire is shopkeeper Tariq Chisti, whose food deliveries for older people have been described as a “lifesaver.”

Tariq has been in charge at Netherlee Post and News, in Clarkston Road, for the past seven years.

Those who nominated the popular businessman for the award also praised his social media presence for bringing the community together.

Tariq said: “I was delighted to be nominated and I am over the moon to have won. I’m very proud.”

A number of local charities, businesses and community champions were also praised by judges in the High Street Heroes Awards.

In Barrhead, Bicket’s Butchers and staff at Jafar’s Licensed Grocers were thanked for supporting the community during lockdown.

Also praised was the Barrhead-based Include Me 2 Club (IM2C), which supported cash-strapped families and those living in isolation by providing 9,500 meals, delivering 370 online support sessions and supplying 500 activity packs and support vouchers.

Others to impress the judges were Eamonn McCafferty, of Eamonn’s Autos, Thornliebank; Freya Young, of Eaglesham Street Library; home care reablement support worker Jane Gebbie; Karen Minnery, of Cats Protection’s Giffnock & District Branch; Marianna Penman, of Mariannas Deli, Newton Mearns; William McMillan, of Stamperland Hardware, Clarkston; à bientôt, Clarkston; Frankies, Giffnock; NBR Hair and Beauty, Clarkston; The Movie Cafe, Eaglesham; and Thomson Bros Butchers, Giffnock.

Meanwhile, Barry and Fiona Leathem, who run Gifted, in Clarkston, and Busby community champion Ashton Wilson were highly commended.

Award judges were told about Barry and Fiona’s efforts to go the “extra mile” for their customers.

Ashton, meanwhile, was aware many of his neighbours were shielding, so he set about making their gardens a relaxing and lovely place to spend time by cutting their grass and tending to flower beds.