A Derby pensioner has been handed a government award, despite facing jail for not paying her council tax.

Josephine Rooney, refused to pay Derby City Council until it cleaned up her street, which she claimed was full of drug addicts, litter and boarded up houses. She has now been given an award as part of the Home Office's Respect campaign for ‘taking a stand' and working to improve the area. A Home Office spokeswoman said: ‘We don't advocate non-payment of council tax and were not aware of the situation when she was nominated.' The pensioner is due to appear in court on 26 June.