Moira Robertson received a gold for her efforts with Suffolk Befriending Scheme (SBS), which meets at Chalkstone Community Centre, in Strasbourg Square, every Friday morning, while Anthea Anness was presented with a silver award.

The two Haverhill women have been involved with the centre for the majority of the decade it has run, with Moira now also involved in volunteering at SBS's Thursday drop-in sessions at Sudbury.

Both began as members of the group before progressing on to the supported volunteering scheme, in which they set themselves a series of goals and challenges in order to get their awards and assist group members.

Moira, 46, received her award after carrying out numerous talks, including arranging a table top sale at the Haverhill meetings that raised £60 and organising other group activities.

Anthea, 49, has earned her accolade after helping run the Haverhill group's register and, among other things, assisting at the SBS group meetings in Bury St Edmunds.

Myra Cawtheray, SBS volunteer co-ordinator, said: "They are both very good, particularly Moira because of the fact that when she used to come to the group she was quite shy and I think this has given her the confidence to achieve other things in her own personal life."