BOLTON'S Neighbours from Heaven have been crowned - thanks to one of the last acts of a dying woman.

Elizabeth Johnson nominated her neighbours Jeanette and David Pennington for the title before she died of cancer last year.

In a letter to the award organisers, 88-year-old Elizabeth described the couple as "God sent" and thanked them for the help they had given her as she battled against the disease.

She was just one of a number of Withins residents who backed the retired joiner and his wife for the award in recognition of their efforts to make the lives of their elderly neighbours that little bit easier.

Elizabeth wrote: "As I am unable to do a lot of things for myself and can't get out so much, they have brought my shopping, looked after my budgies and brought hot meals seven nights a week."

David and Jeanette, both aged 58, have lived in Yewtree Gardens, Withins, for the last 26 years.

They were honoured at the Bolton at Home Awards Ceremony at the Town Hall on Monday.

The ceremony was staged by the independent group which manages Bolton's council homes to recognise the work many tenants do to improve their communities. Afterwards, Jeanette said she was stunned by the award.

"I believe it is important that neighbours help each other and do what they can to make life as pleasant as possible for each other," she said.

"There is quite a lot of vandalism and crime in our area, but there is also a wonderful community spirit that we try to support.

"Elizabeth was very ill towards the end and found it very hard coping on her own - we just hope that we made her life a bit more bearable." Margaret Greenhalgh, of Yewtree Avenue, also nominated the couple for the award.

The 75-year-old said: "When I first moved in about 10 years ago, Jeanette was waiting there with the keys and a smile.

"Since then, they have helped me enormously by getting my shopping and looking out to make sure I am okay.

"They have made this area a much nicer place to live."