The Bereavment Service run by Kingston Council (RBK) have won a prestigious 'gold' award for their work for the 14th year running.

The award was handed out by the Charter for the Bereaved scheme, an industry standard-setting project run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).

RBK said that the remarkable achievement now placed them with "an elite group of just 40 councils across the country which hold combined gold awards for crematorium, burial and cemetery services."

Receiving award means that a bereavement service has met the highest industry standards and also achieved previously ambitious targets.

"The team and myself are truly delighted to receive this award," Bereavement Services Manager, Howard Greenoff, said.

"We work hard to ensure that we’re providing the best service possible and to have the Charter acknowledge this year-on-year is testament to the team’s dedication to serving our communities," he added.

Councillor Andreas Kirsch, who is responsible for cemeteries and crematoria in the borough, also praised the team on their incredible run of top awards for their work.

"Congratulations to the Bereavement Service on receiving this accolade for the 14th year running.

"Having seen the work that goes into continually improving this award-winning service, I am under no doubt how deserving the team are. Well done all," he said.