HE'S worked in Corsica, Croatia, Italy, France and Austria.

But after swapping his job as a campsite holiday rep for life as a Police Community Support officer Mike Burgess is dedicating his time to the people of Atherton.

And after just a year in the job, the 26-year-old go-getter is making a difference to the lives of both the young and the old according to bosses.

Anne Scott, neighbourhood inspector for Atherton, said: "Above and beyond his every day work helping us to fight and prevent crime he is always coming to me with ideas and he doesn't just think about the age group he feels most comfortable with.

"He is just exceptional, particularly as he is so young and new in service. His level of dedication is both surprising and refreshing. Nothing is too much trouble and he is very in tune with what we can offer to the public as a service."

She added: "He is accessible and widely known within his communities taking time to get to understand the things that matter most to them.

"Through his enthusiasm and commitment to his role he is making his community fell safer and more involved."

Sponsorship

To keep the young people entertained and out of trouble, he launched a pool tournament in the school holidays last year and got sponsorship to take another group from a deprived estate horse riding.

He's also organised a series of advice events for older people persuading representatives from the council, the Active Living Group based at the local sports centre, the fire service, Help the Aged and others to come along to hotpot days at a local dance hall.

PCSO Burgess is one of six people or groups nominated for the Chief Constable's Award for Community Focus.

We want readers to help decide which of the six people or groups to have been nominated will be given the top accolade by voting using the coupon on this page or via the M.E.N website.

PCSO Burgess said: "We do get a lot of recognition from the community. The local kids appreciate the things we do as well, which is reward enough in itself.

"But I was very happy to find out I had been nominated for this award. It is nice to get recognition when you have been working hard to make changes and to make a difference."