“IT WAS the same feeling when my kids were born. It’s amazing after you get over the embarrassment.”

John Paine did not hold back as he reflected on the high of winning a Pride of Swindon award at the town's Steam museum last week.

The 52-year-old was among more than 15 recipients at the ceremony, which seeks to recognise those people who have made a difference to their communities by helping others.

Individuals and teams were nominated by members of the public and those with the most votes were recognised with a cash award or pin badge.

John was put forward for the award after his work on Penhill Community Association’s (PCA) Build-a-Bike programme, which began last autumn.

Providing his time free of charge, John, of Hilmarton Avenue, led 10 sessions with 15 children from the area and helped them build bicycles from scratch.

“I am surprised somebody nominated me because it’s recognition you would never dreamed of getting. Outsiders, people I don’t know, have nominated me,” he said.

“I do it because I enjoy it and the smiles on the kids’ faces when they get their bike.

“Recognition is nice. I do it for the freedom I get when I can make somebody happy.

“If you look at the pictures on the wall in the community centre you can just see the kids with beaming smiles when they get their bikes.”

John attended the awards ceremony with his 50-year-old wife, Beverley, but he found the whole thing a little traumatic after receiving his invitation from the mayor’s office in February.

“We have had a few anonymous people saying they like what we’re doing,” he said.

“It was the same feeling when my kids were born. It’s amazing after you get over the embarrassment.

“I’m not very good at talking in public. I’m glad I didn’t have to make a speech.

"It’s awe-inspiring and difficult to explain.

“People think you’re doing a worthy thing.”

The team John has been working with at Chippenham Close Community Centre, PCA, also received an award of £750 in winning its own team award.

John has already begun work on his next project involving five 11 to 15-year-olds, who are learning the basics of servicing a bicycle, rather than building one.