A retired Vicar who now works as an anti-poverty campaigner has dedicated an award to the vulnerable people he is trying to protect.

Rev Paul Nicolson was presented with an award for outstanding contribution to the field of social policy through campaigning, lobbying, service provision and research.

He was also named Best Non Academic 2015 by the Social Policy association at an awards ceremony in Belfast on Monday.

Mr Nicolson said: “I am dedicating this award to everyone receiving social security in the UK.

“The unfair imposition of austerity on the lowest incomes since 2008 leads to cases of malnutrition and debt related illness flooding the GPs surgeries at ever increasing costs to the taxpayer.

“I hope the people of this country take encouragement from the people of Greece in their attitude towards the politics of austerity.”