The winners of estate agent Wards' hunt for the local businesses, organisations and people who went above and beyond to support communities and customers during the pandemic have been revealed.

It had teamed up with KentOnline alongside our radio station, kmfm, to let readers and listeners nominate local businesses in eight categories - with those coming out top presented with a High Street Hero award.

The winners, unveiled today, are:

Community Star: Terry Hill of Castle Cars, Tonbridge

A founding member of the Tonbridge Dementia Friendly Club, Terry also organises Christmas donations children at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and makes generous donations throughout the year.

During the pandemic he started the Cabs for Jabs campaign, raising almost £11,000 to cover the cost of taxis for the elderly, vulnerable and key workers travelling to and from their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Terry’s selflessness and passion for helping are the qualities which make him our Community Star.

Pubs and Restaurants: Rajeev Gupte of Spice Fusion, Rainham

Throughout the pandemic, Spice Fusion has been handing out thousands upon thousands of hot dinners – cooking meals for the homeless. They were a donation point for the Gillingham Street Angels and, if that wasn’t enough, Rajeev then developed a programme to support disadvantaged and vulnerable children and their families by making meals through the #kitchentokids programme.

They prepared around 300 meals a week to distribute on a Monday to vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Medway, literally saving countless families every week from going without a hot meal when they simply could not afford one.

We were inundated with praise and recognition for Rajeev and Spice Fusion from so many grateful families who owe so much to his generosity.

Trades Person: Elliott Moore at Cycle Moore, Ashford

As the first lockdown hit, many of us became keen cyclists. We wanted nothing more than to feel the wind in our hair, but it meant that Elliot of Cycle Moore was inundated with enquiries. Not only managing all of their bookings, he also undertakes all of the mechanics too meaning he has been working 13-hour days, five-days-a-week and weekends.

His hard work and dedication to his customers allowed many of us to get out and exercise, keeping us fit, healthy and sane, whilst unable to take time for himself.

Butchers: Shaun and Steve O'Meara, Sheerness

Shaun and Steve have opened at 5.30am to cater for emergency workers and early starters, extending their produce lines allowing many of us to be able to shop at fewer places and reduce the risk of spreading or catching Covid-19.

Their banter always places their customers at ease and helps reduce anxiety; and they have stayed honest and fair, never taking advantage of the pandemic to raise prices.

Cafe: Hannah & Sarah at Bakery64, New Romney

They went over and above during the hardest months of the lockdown, ensuring plenty of local stock and making deliveries when customers were unable to leave their homes because of shielding or self-isolating.

They remain committed to their customers, staying open late where needed for after-work pick-ups and always on hand to ensure Romney Marsh’s Community Carers can get food and drinks.

Independent Retail: Andrew Stratton of Pelagic Aquatics in Matfield

Where customers were unable to get to the store, whether through shielding or isolating, Andrew personally delivered any pet food at no charge. The deliveries were often after hours and as late as 7pm, showing an unquestionable loyalty to his customers.

Offering to temporarily rehome the fish of Matfield Pond when it dried up over the summer, until the fire brigade could fill the pond back in, Andrew at Pelagic Aquatics is a true High Street Hero and a pillar of the community.

Farm Shop: Rob’s Traditional Greengrocers in Sheerness

Throughout the pandemic the team at Rob’s Traditional Greengrocers were absolutely outstanding, as they delivered to the elderly, and those shielding and self-isolating.

For those customers without internet, they now take orders over the phone in a friendly, understanding way to help you get exactly what you need without leaving the house.

Their reliability and commitment has been invaluable to their local community as they have been carrying out deliveries throughout the day and well into the night.

Health & Beauty: Simon & Joe – The Results Academy, Tunbridge Wells

Faced with the first lockdown, Simon and Joe immediately adapted their business to enable themselves to continue helping their clients. Their Zoom sessions were invaluable when it came to keeping their clients motivated, they lent equipment out to further enable them and even arranged weekly yoga sessions to help relax and balance their clients.

We heard stories of incredible weight loss achieved over the last year, solely thanks to the continued actions of Simon and Joe of The Results Academy. Putting others first isn’t always easy, especially in times as tough as these, but these guys have gone over and above to keep their community striving.

It has been a heart-warming and often emotional task for us to read through all the amazing High Street Hero nominations

A spokesman for Wards said: "It has been a heart-warming and often emotional task for us to read through all the amazing High Street Hero nominations.

"We were taken back with how many small businesses responded so positively in such dark times, acting selflessly and in their community’s best interest.

"Our winners deserve a huge round of applause and endless gratitude; but for anybody to be nominated is such an accomplishment. For someone to take the time to nominate a community hero speaks volumes to the impact they’ve had on somebody’s life. We thought that all nominees deserve recognition and that’s why we’ll be contacting each and every nominee individually to congratulate and thank them."