Three hardworking volunteers who kept this year’s International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) running smoothly have been nominated as unsung heroes.

Gemma Anderson, 20, from Ewell, helped run the festival’s office and take care of other volunteers.

She said: “All the volunteers come into the office and I make sure they know what they are doing and where they are going.

“I think generally the highlight was meeting everybody. Being in the office I know all the volunteers well because I saw them every day.”

Hannah Puckering, 19, from Twickenham, said she enjoyed the variety of activities she was able to take part in, and especially weekend events.

She said: “It is covering a lot of shifts, and of course working behind the bar, organising people in where they were going, and making sure they were happy in what they were doing.”

Claudio Somigli, 25, from Surbiton, took on technical tasks, including helping to put up and take down stages.

He said: “At first I was taking care of general runner duties. After a while I started getting more into the sound engineering for some events.

“Obviously when you work in a festival the highlights are not only shows, they are also when you just sit, after a huge and exhausting day of work, and you share a beer.”

IYAF volunteer co-ordinator Sophie Wardlow said: “Hannah is absolutely incredible. Her determination and her heart for the festival have stood out. She is a brilliant volunteer.

“Claudio has been just a star. We recruited him in June and since then he has been fully dedicated – he has done extra beyond what was needed or expected. It is his positivity. You never see him with a sad face.

“Gemma has been sitting in the office day after day. The passion that she has and the way she has dealt with things has been incredible.”

Do you know an unsung hero? Call the newsdesk on 020 8744 4273 or email jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk with your nomination.