THE Queen will today recognise the work of a Worcestershire voluntary group which helps the blind.

Pershore Pathfinders has received a Golden Jubilee Award for providing social activities for the blind and partially-sighted in and around the town.

Members have been meeting twice a month for coffee mornings and activities, including bingo and flower arranging, at the Wychavon Civic Centre in Pershore since the group was founded in 1991.

The group's 30 members and eight volunteers also enjoy excursions including pub lunches, boat journeys and yearly theatre trips to Stratford-upon-Avon.

"We're very pleased. We've never won anything as prestigious as this before," said volunteer Sheila Rust, who has been involved with the group since it started.

"We know the members really appreciate the club. So often blind people become house-bound and here they come in and chat to each other. It does make a difference to their lives."

Pathfinders is one of 200 voluntary organisations from around the country being recognised for its work by the Queen, during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace today. Only 14 groups have been selected to attend the event, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

Pershore Pathfinders will be presented with its award by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Michael Brinton in the next couple of months.