A Pembrokeshire woman has won a major award for her 'outstanding' voluntary work in setting up a healthy living centre.

Julie Rice Monroe has won a regional prize for her 'voluntary endeavour' and will now be competing to represent Wales against the rest of Britain.

The 65-year-old former civil servant has been the driving force behind the Clouds Living Centre in Monkton, which opened in February.

With a team of volunteers, Julie has opened a community centre with an emphasis on health. A café serves homemade fresh produce, children can take part in a variety of fun keep-fit sessions and there is a free youth club for older children.

Julie got involved after taking part in a 12-week health challenge organised by Pembrokeshire Local Health Board in Monkton.

She said: "The health challenge was such a good idea and I wanted to keep the project going and it has just grown and grown. I am delighted to have won this award and to be in with a chance of representing Wales."

She praised the other volunteers who work at Clouds and said: "Without them the centre would not be able to run and the award is for all of us, not just me - it's a team effort."

Community health development worker Helen Stewart praised Julie's "tireless work".

She said: "Julie has found a building free of charge and now looks after a team of 37 volunteers. They have refurbished the building and provide an excellent community facility. I am thrilled that Julie's tireless work has been recognised at such a national level."

Julie will be presented with a medal and £50 of dining out vouchers at a lunch in Cardiff today (Friday) and is one of 20 people to have been selected from the whole of the UK.

Now in its ninth year, the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour is a scheme designed to recognise individuals and groups throughout the UK who have made an outstanding contribution to their local community.

The scheme was set up by the Nationwide Building Society with support from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Julie now has plans to launch a food co-operative and to develop a herb garden around the former Old Priory Inn site in Long Mains. Clouds Living Centre is a charity and all work is carried out by volunteers.