VOLUNTEERS from East Lancashire were honoured at a glittering reception last night.

The Queen's representative in the county, the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Shuttleworth, handed 75 community and charity workers from Lancashire a specially minted Year of the Volunteer medal.

Of those 75, more than a dozen were from East Lancashire, recognised for their work in fields as diverse as organising petitions in the community to working in sports.

Peter Tarren, 56, of Accrington Road, Burnley, works to help his local community, and has started a number of petitions in the town. He was given a medal and said: "I do quite a lot of volunteer work. In Burnley I organised a petition to stop them closing the post offices."

Richard Robb, 37, of Withnell, near Chorley, received a medal for his work as a volunteer helping disabled athletes with groups including mentally handicapped charity MENCAP and Blackburn Harriers

Mel Diack, 52, of Clitheroe, a volunteer worker who has helped hundreds of children in the Ribble Valley, was also presented with a medal. He said: "It's nice to be recognised for the different spheres of your work."

The presentation took place at County Hall, Preston, and was watched by hundreds of guests and dignitaries.

The Lord Lieutenant said: "I knew I would be completely humbled by what people are up to out there volunteering. I think the whole community should be extremely grateful for what is done."