An entrepreneur has been nominated in the community category at this year’s Merton Civic Awards for his selfless charity work and efforts to help improve cultural relations in the area.

Lord Dean David Burr, 35, devotes his time to helping out in various religious communities, lending a hand to local businesses and doing charity work for Great Ormond Street Hospital, all on top of running his pest control company Lords Environmental.

He said: “I like to do whatever I can for charities and I’m very for a multi-cultural society. I think we can all work together as long as we want to work together.

Lord Burr is also very keen on the importance of small businesses and is keen to help struggling ones succeed.

“I try and help out our local businesses in Merton. For example if there are restaurants that are struggling I’m happy to go in, try and help them out, give them ideas, maybe change their menu for them.

“It’s all about trying to bring people together, and I really enjoy it. I don’t do it for money, I do it for friendship.”

“Once some people I helped offered me half of their business, and I turned round and I wanted to cry to be honest."

Lord Burr, of Garfield Road, Wimbledon, said that he was startled at the news of being nominated.

“I’m genuinely shocked! It shows that people appreciate what you do though,” he said.

There is still time to nominate someone special for a Merton Civic Award. Visit the website here or fill out a form in the newspaper.