THREE charities have been presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of outstanding work carried out in their communities.

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Barry Dodd held a special presentation ceremony at Birdsall House, Malton, to recognise the work of Ryedale Carers, Ryedale Youth Theatre and the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups to recognise the outstanding work carried out in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and is the MBE for volunteer groups.

Ryedale Youth Theatre, in association with Kirkham Henry Performing Arts, in Malton, has worked in the local community for the past 25 years.

About 30 representatives from Ryedale Youth Theatre attended the presentation, including chairman Barbara Wood, director choreographer Angela Kirkham and secretary Barbara Murray, who received the award on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who have worked with them over the years to ensure the success of each year's productions.

Ms Wood said: “On behalf of Ryedale Youth Theatre I would like to say how honoured and delighted we are to receive the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. This year we celebrate our 25th anniversary so receiving this award is without doubt ‘the icing on the cake’."

Ryedale Carers is a voluntary organisation and registered charity that provides practical and emotional help for carers.

Manager Claire Hall said: "Ryedale Carers Support is absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award. It is a reflection of the enormous amount of help provided by our volunteers to carers and older people in our community. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything that we do and we cannot thank them enough for their commitment and dedication."

Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre is a charity which has been working for more than 10 years to help preserve the fishing history of the town.