TWO West Somerset voluntary groups have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, it was announced on Sunday, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The honour is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, and West Somerset’s Forum 21 and Wiveliscombe Area Partnership were both included, along with Somerset Sight.

The awards recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities and were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Each group will receive their award from Mrs Anne Maw, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, later this summer, and representatives were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May, along with others from across the country.

They will receive a crystal award and a certificate signed by the Queen, and can use the QAVS logo on their stationery and websites.

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