UPTON councillor Tim Perry has received a prestigious award for his “outstanding contribution” to helping flood victims in Upton following the devastating 2007 summer floods.

Coun Perry received the ‘Golden Brolly’ award from the National Flood Forum, a charity that works with victims of flooding, when it held its annual conference in Birmingham.

The former mayor of Upton was recognised under the “Community Service” category for his efforts as the River Severn rose to almost unprecedented levels.

Olwen Stocker, secretary of the Upton Flood Forum, which is campaigning for permanent flood defences in the town, feels Coun Perry’s award is well deserved.

“Tim worked so very hard for Upton and its people following the 2007 floods, and we are delighted that he has been acknowledged in this way,” she said. “During the floods he volunteered to help move people’s furniture to safety. In New Street and other areas where a number of houses were badly flooded, Tim arranged for residents’ damaged furniture, white goods and possessions to be taken away on a daily basis by the council services.

“He also gave practical help with the cleaning up process. As residents and business owners were in a fragile and shocked state of mind, it was good to know that someone genuinely cared and was willing to give generously of his ‘hands on’ assistance during this traumatic time.”

Grahame Bunn, landlord of riverside pub the King’s Head, also praised Coun Perry’s assistance in getting dozens of bags of rotting food that was ruined by the floods removed from outside his premises when it appeared that help from local authorities would not be forthcoming.

“I don’t know who he phoned but within two hours all the food debris had been taken away,” he said.

Coun Perry said the award had come as a total surprise.

“I was quite shocked but very honoured to be recognised,” he said. “There were so many people that were doing so many things to help after the floods so you don’t expect something like this.”