THREE East Lancashire organisations have won a prestigious award from the Queen for their services to volunteering.

The Inter Madrassah Organisation in Blackburn, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and Braille-It have won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour for volunteer groups in the UK.

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The award, which recognises the achievements of community groups in encouraging people to be more active in society, also came with an invitation to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace this year.

The Inter Madrassah Organisation, which provides a range of support and activities mainly for disadvantaged young people in Blackburn, will receive the award from Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire this summer.

Operations manager Bob McDonald said he was thrilled for the charity to get the accolade in its 10th anniversary year.

He said: “Our overriding aim is to reach out and help young people and their families overcome challenges and help them fulfil their potential in life.

“This is only possible with the overwhelming support we receive from our volunteers.

“It is also brilliant that we have received this award in our 10th anniversary year. It could not be better timing and I could not be more proud.”

The award was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Winners are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of her coronation.

The Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester will present the award to the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and Garry Rhodes MBE, who retired as team leader in March.

Mr Rhodes said: “It was a privilege to represent the team at the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. The award is recognition of members' contribution and service to our local community and it is a particular honour to receive it in the Queen’s 90th year.”

The rescue team, which covers Darwen Moor, was involved in 99 callouts in 2015 and played a key role in flood rescue and support to the community further afield during the December deluge.

At six centres — in Clitheroe, Blackburn, Burnley, Accrington, Haslingden and Chorley — Braille-It delivers free Braille tuition and keyboard skills to the blind, partially sighted and parents and carers of blind children Chris Tattersall, chairman, said: “Over the past 16 years Braille-It has grown into a wonderful voluntary service. It is an honour to be a winner of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”