An Oldham woman has received a Platinum Champions Award from the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) for her volunteer work which has lasted more than 60 years.

Barbara Heywood volunteers at homelessness charity Emmaus Mossley, which supports 26 formerly homeless people by providing them with a home, work, companionship and individual support.

She also volunteers as a church deacon at Oldham Baptist Church and has done other work in Oldham and the North West across the past six decades.

Barbara said: "This award was a lovely surprise and really, I receive it on behalf of all the dedicated volunteers who see a job and get it done.

"I don’t think I’m exceptional and know a lot of other people who do amazing work for good causes.

"I get as much from volunteering at Emmaus than I give, if not more."

Barbara, who described Emmaus Mossley as her "happy place", started volunteering in her teens and has supported various organisations over the past 60 years. 

Some of her work over that time includes working as a guide commissioner with the Girl Guides and as a Duke of Edinburgh Award officer for North West England and at Oldham LEA. 

The Platinum Champion Awards were launched by the RVS, in honour of their Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.

The awards, which are in partnership with The Big Jubilee Lunch, are an official Jubilee project to which looks to celebrate outstanding volunteers across the country who make a difference every day.

Thousands of people aged from 16 to 101 all over the UK who volunteer for a range of causes were nominated for the RVS Platinum Champions award.

In total, 490 volunteers were hand-picked from the nominees by a judging panel presided over by The Duchess of Cornwall, and crowned Platinum Champions.

Barbara, along with all of the RVS Platinum Champions Award winners, received a specially designed pin and a signed certificate from HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess of Cornwall, said: "The Platinum Champions Awards have given us the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contribution of all volunteers, who truly are the backbone of our country."

She congratulated the winners and offered her "heartfelt thanks" to all volunteers across the UK.