A LIFE changing group for blind and partially sighted people has been short-listed for a right royal award.

The Pershore Pathfinders, which organises social activities, is in the final 22 of the regional voluntary groups nominated for the first Queen's Golden Jubilee Award.

Herefordshire-based St Michael's Hospice, which provides palliative care for terminally ill people and support for their family and friends, is also in the running for the accolade.

On Monday, June 2, thousands of nominees from across England will be whittled down to around 200 and be crowned for their contribution and commitment to the community.

They range from groups who lend their pets to people in hospitals, to those who create sensory gardens for the elderly and disabled.

"This prestigious new award gives well-deserved recognition to some of the hundreds of thousands of voluntary groups that play such an essential role in our communities," said Home Office Minister, Lord Filkin.

"They reach out and touch the lives of others, often providing them with unconditional human contact that would otherwise be missing.

"We owe them an enormous debt and I'm delighted their work is being recognised in this way."

A successful group has to show it has evolved and run locally, has a track record of active community involvement and meets a particular need.

It must also have added significant value by directly providing community-focused voluntary activities of a very high quality and generated a high level of local goodwill and respect.