STAFF at Knutsford Heritage centre attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace held for organisations which have made a positive impact in their communities.

The centre will be presented with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service later this summer.

Centre archivist Vivien Hainsworth and centre administrator Jan McCappin, pictured, attended the event party after the Heritage Centre earned the admiration of the committee which assessed the award nominees.

The award was created in 2002 to recognise excellence in voluntary activities by community groups.

Val Bryant, centre manager and trustee said: "It’s a great achievement for the centre and for the people of Knutsford. The timing of this award is particularly pertinent, coming as it does in National Volunteers’ Week, when we have an opportunity to celebrate with our wonderful volunteers. The award shows how important the work we do at the Heritage Centre is for the town and our wider audience. It is the biggest award we have ever been granted, and it will help greatly to raise our profile."

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service team told the Heritage Centre: “This award was created by the Queen in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. It is an MBE for volunteer groups.

“The work your group does for the community was very much admired by the independent assessment committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE. This award represents a tremendous achievement for your organisation. We hope that everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, feel immensely proud of the recognition that this award represents.”