A campaigner who fought to save a popular sports hall has been nominated for the Watford Observer Community Heroes Award.

Jan Dowman, from Chorleywood, was recommended for the award by Three Rivers Conservative district councillor, Alex Hayward, after she started a petition to save the William Penn sports hall which reached 1,700 signatures.

By emailing supporters, appearing at council meetings and having campaign t-shirts printed, Jan’s efforts helped to create a groundswell of community interest.

Last month, Three Rivers announced it would not split the hall which would have been converted to a soft play area – but that customers could pay more to use the facility.

Cllr Hayward said: “Jan has worked tirelessly to save the hall at the William Penn Leisure Centre.

“At council meetings she spoke out on behalf of residents and the user group.

“Jan has spoken on BBC London and brought this threat of closure to a wider audience.

“She has put the residents first and has been supported by hundreds of signatories – well done.”

Jan said she was “amazed” to be nominated.

Jan, who has been using the centre for 20 years and belongs to a short tennis group, added: “This campaign was important because of how valuable the hall is.

“It enables people to keep fit in a pleasant way, making friends and meeting people with things in common.

“Their decision to change their minds was lovely but it was the wrong decision in the first place.”

Jan grew up in South Oxhey and spent her career as an artist. She taught painting and drawing at the University of Hertfordshire and still teaches people on a part-time basis.

She has two daughters, and two grandchildren who also enjoy art.

Speaking about her campaign, she added: “It has brought us closer together and I will keep standing up for people.”