A voluntary group that provides emotional support to patients was one of three in Surrey to be honoured with the Queen’s Award for voluntary service.

Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Hospital Trust volunteers have been helping patients and their relatives since 1966.

There are currently 337 volunteers, 111 of whom have volunteered for more than 25 years.

The award was first created by the Queen to mark her golden jubilee in 2002 to recognise the work of community groups.

It recognises outstanding voluntary contributions and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged to be of the highest standard.