PEOPLE in Craven are being invited to nominate a deserving voluntary group for the equivalent of an MBE.

Nominations for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - originally launched in 2002 in celebration of the Queen's golden jubilee - are now open. Awards are given to those groups who deserve recognition for exceptional service in giving their time freely for the benefit of others, and are making a real difference in the communities they serve.

It is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon groups of this kind and is equivalent in status to the MBE.

Terry Hephrun, Chair of the Lancashire Panel for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) said he hoped there would be a good number of entries. "The Queen’s Award not only serves to provide recognition of volunteer groups, but also demonstrates the high respect in which volunteering is held.

"We all know the value of voluntary effort to support communities not least in the difficult circumstances we are continuing to face in 2022. In this Platinum Jubilee year, it seems appropriate to look to encourage a good number of nominations."

Details on entrance criteria and the nomination process are available from: https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/

Nominations for the 2023 awards close on September 15.

Previous winners in Craven have included Grassington Hub and Clapham Village Store.