AN ‘outstanding volunteer’ has seen her hard work at Darwen Cemetery recognised with a special commendation.

Anne Lamont was presented with a certificate from the Blackburn with Darwen Pat on the Back Awards for her commitment to the restoration of the cemetery.

She has helped maintain the grounds since the Friends of Darwen Cemetery was formed in 2010.

Friends group chairman John East said: “Anne is an outstanding volunteer and we all value and appreciate her talents and skills in helping to restore and maintain our town cemetery.

“She has a real knack with drains and planting flowers.

“We all wish to see the cemetery looking its best again and are working hard in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council. Many private graves are now being tended and as we begin commemorations of the start of the First World War, Darwen Cemetery has almost 100 war graves, most of which are adopted by local individuals and groups in the community.”

Darwen MP Jake Berry handed Anne her certificate and said: “Anne is a fantastic volunteer and I have seen first-hand the considerable amount of time and effort she puts in to helping our community. This award is very well deserved.

“I’d like to thank Anne and the rest of the friends for the tireless work they do to look after our cemeteries.”

Mr Berry attended one of the friends group’s fortnightly working parties, where volunteers carry out a variety of maintenance tasks in the Western Cemetery.

The next working party is on Saturday, July 26, from 10am.