WIRRAL Wildlife group has received their Queen's Award for voluntary service.

Representatives were presented with the honour - created by The Queen in 2002 to mark her Golden Jubilee and often described as an MBE for volunteer groups - in a special ceremony at Heswall Hall by Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell.

It was awarded in recognition of the hundreds of volunteers who have worked together as Wirral Wildlife since the group was founded in 1971.

To celebrate their award win, the group took part in a special tree planting session at Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve, near Bromborough.

Wirral Council Ranger, Alan Smail, and the Friends of Dibbinsdale group organised for the volunteer group to plant a small leaved lime, an oak and a wild pear, which had been grown from a seed from a tree at Willaston.

Wirral Wildlife was established with the protection and promotion of wildlife in the borough as their aim.

As part of receiving the award, representatives from Wirral Wildlife attended a Royal Garden Party and now have an English Crystal award and a signed certificate from the Queen.

The group undertakes a variety of activities to support the work of Cheshire Wildlife Trust, who nominated them for the award. 

Sarah Bennett from Cheshire Wildlife Trust said: "Wirral Wildlife attracts volunteers of all ages and ecological experience. 

"They are a fantastic champion of wildlife in the area.

"Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation, without their dedication, we would not be able to achieve the same impact in the region.

"This award is very much deserved."