Volunteers at the Malvern Hills group of St Michael's Hospice have been rewarded for their many years of devotion to fundraising.

They were presented with long-service awards this week by Walter Brooks, chief executive of the Herefordshire-based hospice.

Pat Cox, Jo Newell, Joan Bradshaw and Mary Evans received gold awards for 15 years of service, while Diana Dawes received silver for 10 years and Jill Turner bronze for five years.

"Without people like them we wouldn't survive," said Mr Brooks. "Only 14 per cent of our income comes from the NHS. The rest comes from voluntary sources."

The hospice, based in Bartestree, offers care for people suffering from a terminal illness, as well as support for their families and friends.

The Malvern Hills group was started 17 years ago, at the same time as the hospice, and raises money through events such as coffee mornings, pig roasts and jumble sales. Over the last four years, it has raised over £15,000.

Separate to the group is the St Michael's shop in Great Malvern, which last year contributed £35,000 to the hospice.