A WORK experience co-ordinator has beaten thousands of people to win a charity’s National Star Award.

Jo Budd, who works for Medway Council, was presented with her Shaw Trust award by actor Brian Blessed.

The trust is a charity providing training and employment services to the disabled and disadvantaged.

Mother-of-two Ms Budd, of Rochester, has mentored many of the charity’s clients.

She joined the council’s learning and organisational development department two years ago and co-ordinated 287 work placements last year.

She said: “I feel honoured and thrilled to have won this award.

Seeing the clients’ confidence grow throughout their placement has been very rewarding.”

Cllr Howard Doe, porfolio holder for community services, said: “The work that Jo does is invaluable and it is great to see that she is being recognised for all the effort that she puts in.

“I couldn’t think of a more worthy winner.”