A TEAM who has been helping people for more than 50 years has been given an award from the Queen.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny.

The award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken and Commodore Toby Elliott to members past and present from the team’s 50-year service.

Brig Aitken said: “It’s an honour to be here tonight representing the Queen. I can’t think of a more fitting way to mark the team’s 50 years."

The team is made up of highly trained volunteers from all walks of life. It is a registered charity and is dependent almost entirely on public donations.

Longtown MRT team leader, Luke Lewis, said: “The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is testament to the dedication and skills of a team of volunteers who are always on call, in all weathers, to assist not only people in trouble in mountainous areas but also our wide ranging community.

“I would also like to thank Mike Jones, our former chairman, who worked so hard to bring this award about."

The team covers an area from East Wales, through the Welsh borders and across Herefordshire