TWO Isle of Wight charities have received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest award a volunteer group can receive in the UK.

The Friends of Freshwater Library (FoFL) and Alzheimer's Cafe Isle of Wight have been recognised for their work and will be presented with their awards by Isle of Wight Lord Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, later in the summer.

FoFL was founded in 2012 with the aim of keeping the library open.

It has since become a thriving community group committed to the preservation and development of the library, through fundraising, events and day to day support of the library service.

The Alzheimer's Cafe in Newport has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, and the Alzheimer's Cafe Isle of Wight now hosts eight cafes across the Island — three in Newport, as well as in Ryde, Totland, Ventnor, Sandown and Cowes.

FoFL chair Ann Fraser said: "We are thrilled and honoured to receive this prestigious award, which pays tribute to the hard work, commitment and support of our committee, dedicated volunteers, FOFL members and the West Wight community.

"We are inspired to move forward with enthusiasm and energy."

Maggie Bennett, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Cafe Isle of Wight, said: "I'm absolutely delighted it has been recognised, and this is a special tribute to the hard work and commitment of all our volunteers."

Members of all award-winning charities were recently invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s Award was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and 281 charities nationally received the honour this year.