VOLUNTEERS at a Halesowen sports club are gearing up to receive a prestigious royal honour for outstanding community work.

The Halesowen Athletic and Cycling Club is to be presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a special celebration.

The accolade is the highest award given to voluntary groups across the UK and recognises the strength of the club which has 900 members, almost half of which are under 18 and the oldest is 92.

Its volunteers will be presented with an engraved crystal award and a scroll personally signed by the Queen from representatives of the Lords Lieutenants Office at a ceremony next Wednesday (July 4).

Chairman Bob Fowkes and president and treasurer Bob Hickman will receive the award on behalf of the club from Sylvia Parkin, MBE, and deputy lieutenant Peter Tomlinson.

World champion track cyclist Hugh Porter, MBE, will join other special guests to formally thank the Queen’s representatives as patron of the club.

Mr Fowkes said: “It is so wonderful to be recognised with this special award which we will accept on behalf of the whole club.

“We are all delighted as it is an acknowledgement of the work that we have been doing over many decades to inspire young people to reach their goals”.

The club was nominated by Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris, with support from senior Dudley Council officials and joins an elite list of 112 outstanding UK volunteering groups who have been recognised for the award this year.

As part of their recognition, club representatives will also receive an invitation to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace.