Two Kent prison staff have been recognised for their work by a national prison charity.

A tutor and assessor at HMP Standford Hill, in Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey, Nikki Dennington, was awarded for her outstanding contribution in use of the arts by the Butler Trust.

They help to engage some of the most challenging and vulnerable men in the jail.

Nikki, who is described as a "highly gifted" teacher, also received the Keith Bromley Award for Education and Skills Training.

Prison officer Mark Godman, who works at HMP East Sutton Park, near Maidstone, was cited as “an outstanding officer”.

He received a commendation for work which had a "profound impact on the women in his care".

The awards, hosted by the Butler Trust charity, were due to be presented by its royal patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, at St James’s Palace.

The ceremony was moved online following the coronavirus outbreak.

Butler Trust director, Simon Shepherd, said: “Her Royal Highness has kindly said she will present the awards in person at a later date and we’re delighted about that.

“The awards are designed to recognise the good and dedicated work of those working in prisons, probation and youth justice, and given the current national crisis we feel it’s more important than ever that key workers in these vital services know they are valued and not forgotten.

“It’s also a milestone year for the Butler Trust. This is the charity’s 35th year and 35th ceremony, and Princess Anne has presided over them all until now.”

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