A BACUP pensioner recognised for his charity work could be in line to pick up a national award.

Ken Bowden, secretary of Bacup Natural History Museum, was named as one of 10 ‘diamond volunteers’ in the north of England by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS).

Now Mr Bowden, 75, is waiting to see if he makes the shortlist for the grand final of the awards, which will be marked with a ceremony in London next month.

Mr Bowden, who worked as a librarian for more than 30 years, now delivers books to housebound people in Bacup and Waterfoot as part of the RVS’s home library scheme.

He also works with Burnley-based group Communicars to help old and vulnerable people with hospital appointments and shopping trips.

Mr Bowden said: “I’ve been doing the home library service for more than 10 years and I really enjoy it.

“When I retired as a librarian they needed someone to go out to the community and I suppose it made sense to use me.

"Some of these folk don’t get many visitors, maybe just their carers now and again, so it’s good to have a chat with them.

"They always seem pretty glad to see me so I must be doing something right."

Ruth Taylor, from the RVS, said: “Ken is always willing to step in at the last minute to deliver additional routes, despite the fact he already does two routes.

“He is always cheerful and friendly and brightens the days of our customers. He always goes the extra mile, often revisiting addresses to make sure that housebound people don’t miss out on their library books.”

The judging panel for the award includes Keeping Up Appearances actress Patricia Routledge, Baroness Anglea Smith, Daily Express editor Hugh Whittow, McCarthy & Stone executive director Ali Crossley and Andrew Brady of Anglia Ruskin University.