The Beacon Bolton Counselling Service has picked up a royal award for its work.

The group was given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which recognises those who make an outstanding contribution.

The body, which has operated since 1989, was only allowed to send two people to the official ceremony at The Monastery in Gorton due to Covid regulations.

To make up for this a second event was organised for volunteers, partners and supports to enjoy the momentous occasion.

Edith Conn, a deputy lieutenant for Greater Manchester, presented the award and certificate to Rita Liddell, chair of the Beacon group.

She emphasised the award was the equivalent of an MBE and was the highest UK award for voluntary groups.

The award was engraved to reflect special recognition for the support which had been provided during the Covid pandemic.

The event was the first time all counsellors were able to meet up for a social event since before the first lockdown.

Pam Duxbury, service manager, described the award as the “icing on the cake.”

She said: “We are absolutely delighted. We have been operating in Bolton for a long time and the counsellors do not do the work for recognition but it is amazing when something like this comes along.

She said the service had to adapt its methods to continue to help people when the pandemic struck.

She said: “When Covid came along that was a real change for us. We had thought the only way to work with a client was face-to-face. With three to five days notice we had to cease all operations.”

She said some staff took training on a voluntary basis while the service found two people who could offer a course on how to deliver the service online.

She added: “We reopened in May and June 2020. They continued to be counsellors and have continued all the way through Covid.”