TWO sisters from Blackburn have been recognised at the Good Neighbour Awards, an annual event organised by Places for People to celebrate the positive contribution of residents.

Doreen Mitchell and her sister Christine Connell were nominated for the award by local residents for the work they do at the Ivy Street Community Centre.

The centre is open seven days a week and is supported by a team of 15 volunteers.

Between them, Doreen and Christine spend more than 100 hours a week volunteering at the centre.

As well as undertaking administration tasks, they also organise children’s parties, sewing workshops and co-ordinate the annual Christmas lunch and New Year’s Eve party.

Doreen and Christine, alongside 38 Places for People customers and their guests, were invited to a special lunch in York where they received their award from Places for People chief executive, David Cowans.

Doreen Mitchell: said: “This is not something we feel we deserve. We’re just ordinary people doing something that we like and enjoy.

“The whole community pulls together where we live, so it’s wonderful to see the centre thriving and everyone enjoying what it has to offer.

“Vicki Dargue, customer relations manager at Places for People, said: “Doreen and Christine are a fine example of how important good neighbours really are.”