A community hero who has been picking litter on Sheppey's streets for more than 50 years was honoured at a mayoral reception.

Swale Borough Council organised the party at Swale House, Sittingbourne, to highlight the work Ted Jordan does around Halfway.

The 77-year-old has lived in Halfway Road for 54 years and every morning goes out to pick up rubbish.

The council decided to recognise Mr Jordan's dedication to keeping Sheppey clean after senior street scene officer Jonathan Longley saw a story in the Times Guardian about him.

Mr Jordan attended the ceremony with his wife Shirley, son David and his wife Jan.

At the reception, a group of children from the Isle of Sheppey Academy were also praised for their community work.

The youngsters have cleaned up the roads around the school, tidied up the canal, planted bulbs around the town, created a mural for Sheerness station and helped dozens of over-50s learn new IT skills through the BIT 50 project.

Five children from the academy and Paul Murray, the academy's head of community cohesion, went along to the reception.

Mayor of Swale Cllr Steve Worrall praised Mr Jordan and the youngsters.

He said: "The children from the academy have also been proactive in approaching the council for help cleaning alleyways on the Island and we felt it was fitting to recognise them.

"We would like to thank them and Mr Jordan for all they do.

They are to be held up as shining examples of the people that make Swale and the Island in particular such a wonderful place to be."

Mr Longley echoed the mayor's words and said he wished there were more people around like Mr Jordan who bring communities together like he does.

He added: "He's a pillar of the community and a credit to the Island."

Lifelong Islander Mr Jordan said it is nice to get recognised and he said people always thank him, especially children.