VOLUNTEERS from Ely s Helping Hands Gardening Group have been presented with a Queen s Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly. They received the prestigious at a garden party held in Little Downham. The Lord-Lie

VOLUNTEERS from Ely's Helping Hands Gardening Group have been presented with a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly.

They received the prestigious at a garden party held in Little Downham.

The Lord-Lieutenant told the group that at this event he was acting on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and that this was as prestigious an award as being named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List or receiving an OBE.

The group was nominated for the award by former Ely mayor Cllr John Ison, who acknowledged the work of the highly regarded gardening team and their contribution to both individual recipients of the service and the local community.

Mr Ison said: "The project has gained a local reputation as a helping scheme and has a committed team of volunteers. This and the dedicated work of the supervisor and manager make it the success it is.