Two talented Vale singers have been announced the winners of two prestigious awards in recognition of the work they did in their local community during lockdown.

Alfie King, 12, and Jack Mullen, 15, were nominated for Unsung Hero of the Year at the Sunday Mail Young Scot awards after performing outside care homes and to neighbours in Dumbarton and the Vale who have been shielding over lockdown.

However, at a virtual ceremony on Friday, the kind-hearted duo were also named Young Scots of the Year.

And the award came as a shock to both boys who attended virtually, with Alfie heard exclaiming “We won!” as it was announced by TV presenter Jean Johansson.

Alfie, who is a pupil at Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School shared the news on Facebook saying: “You are looking at the Young Scots of the year #doubleaward winners! Can’t believe we won our category #unsunghero and the overall Young Scot of the Year Award!”

He told the Reporter: “I can’t believe we won our category and then the overall award. I really wasn’t expecting it when we were watching and listening to what everyone had done. Anyone would have been deserving winners.

“Jack and I are so overwhelmed. We have had so much support from all over and it really is amazing. Thank you everyone again for all your kind words, messages and texts over the past few days - I really appreciate every one of them.”

And presenter Jean paid tribute to the boys, who have raised over £5,000 for local charities including CHAS’ Robin House in Balloch and the Beatson Cancer Charity.

She said: “You should be so, so proud. What you two have done has brought so much light into people’s lives. I hope I get to meet you one day.”

Vale of Leven Academy pupil Jack said: “I feel both shocked and truly honoured. Every finalist was a very worthy winner so to not only win our category but the overall Young Scot of the year is amazing!

“Thank you first of all to everyone that nominated us and thank you to everyone who has ever shown myself and Alfie support and encouragement through all of this.”

Alfie first hit the headlines when he and another local singer, Ava McFarlane, competed in The Voice Kids in 2019.

He and Jack went viral online just a few weeks before the first lockdown after a video of the pair singing the Beatles hit ‘Let It Be’ while travelling home from a gig in Glasgow became an internet sensation.

Alfie and Jack weren’t the only West Dunbartonshire young people in the running for an award – also nominated were Mollie-Rose Shields, 11, and 21-year-old Demi Kelly, both from Clydebank.