TWO local volunteers have been given awards for their long service to sport.

They may not be famous like Tiger Woods or David Beckham -- but that is because the work they do is all done behind the scenes.

The Sport England awards, announced to coincide with the arrival of the Jubilee baton in Lancashire, will be presented to just five people in the county -- and Preston's own John Taberner and Mel Whittle are top of the list.

John, 47, has been honoured for his tireless work towards women's football. The trained coach is the manager of Preston North End's women's football club A squad.

He said: "I actually got involved through my daughter Alison. We were looking for somewhere for her to play and found PNE."

John, who lives in Walton-le-Dale, spends most of his free time coaching the up-and-coming sports stars.

John said: "There's lots of other involvement apart from coaching. I have to organise the club and get funding."

Joining John for the award ceremony this week in Blackburn was Mel Whittle, treasurer of the Lancashire Rugby Union Committee.

Mel has been given the prestigious award for his development of rugby union, and is a volunteer with Fylde Rugby Union Club and Preston Grasshoppers.

Sport England have teamed up with the Lancashire Sport organisation to make the awards. Sport England, a sports development agency, help to distribute lottery funds to local sporting groups.

Stewart Kellet, chief executive of Lancashire Sport, said: "We believe their work is a prime example of the voluntary work in sport which goes on daily throughout the county area."