A NEW award for community volunteers has been launched to promote voluntary work and get more people to come forward and help.

Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Community for Voluntary Service (CVS) have launched their volunteer certificate scheme.

The incentive scheme will give bronze, silver and gold awards to people who carry out 50, 100 or 200 hours of community work in Hyndburn and it is hoped that the certificates will start to be recognised by employers, showing people the value of doing such work.

Some 18 local organisations have already signed up and started counting their volunteers' hours. It is hoped the project will be launched in the Ribble Valley later.

For more information about volunteering or the certificate, call 01254 600640.

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