A GRANDFATHER who has been disabled since his teens has won a top civic award for his community work.

And at the age of 77, Gilbert Hearn is to travel abroad for the first time in his life as part of his town twinning work.

Mr Hearn has strived to give local people in Eccles better facilities.

The ex black-cab driver's reputation as a "Mr Fixit" has now earned him a Citizen's Award from the Mayor of Salford.

Mr Hearn who has been disabled since he was 14 from polio, is actively involved in over ten different community groups.

Together with his wife Betty, who died two years ago, he has campaigned for improvements for local residents.

Eleven years ago he started the Park Resident's Association which has successfully bid for more street lighting in Patricroft Recreation Park.

As a member of the Salford Disability Forum, a recently registered charity, Mr Hearn is promoting the charity's latest goal to visit disabled people in their home and set up web cams so they can communicate through video links.

Mr Hearn's hard work was recognised by neighbour and friend Barbara Holmes, who nominated him for the award much to his surprise. "I was gob smacked when I heard I was getting one," said Mr Hearn, from Stanley Road, Barton.

The father of five with 11 grandchildren, all of whom live within 20 miles of his residence in Eccles, hopes he can be a role model and a positive influence.

He said that as a Christian all he wanted to do was to help other people.

He said: "I do these things because I want to and not because I want recognition for it."

However Barbara Holmes claimed: "No-one in Salford could be more deserving of the award. He is always pleasant and polite to everyone and is very generous."

These comments were echoed by the Mayor of Salford, Coun Mrs Margaret Morris.

She said: "Gilbert has played an important part in making things happen in his local community and we're all extremely thankful for the time he has devoted to helping others."

Eccles last year celebrated 50 years being twinned with the French town of Narbonne and Hearn will visit the town next month as part of his commitments to the town twinning committee.

Having never travelled abroad in his life, Mr Hearn admitted he needed to register for a passport, and is looking forward to the new experience.

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