VOLUNTEERS in Bury have been awarded a prestigious national award in recognition of their services.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK – was given to volunteers at The Fusilier Museum.

The museum has over 50 volunteers who assist in all aspects of the business including front of house, galleries, education visits, finance and collection handling.

The Board of Trustees are also volunteers committing extensive time and effort to the long-term success of the museum.

Colonel Brian Gorski, chairman of The Fusilier Museum, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the museum and without them we simply wouldn’t be able to achieve half as much as what we do now.

“Our success as an award-winning visitor attraction is testimony to our volunteers and we are extremely lucky to have such a large group of committed and loyal people who help out in various departments across the business.

“We are extremely honoured to be awarded such and accolade and would like to thank all our volunteers for their huge and continued contribution to our success.”

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service highlights excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community and is well known for being the equivalent to an MBE within the voluntary sector.

Winners of the award – which was created in 2002 to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee – get a certificate a signed and a domed glass crystal.