VOLUNTEERS who have restored a Prudhoe cemetery have been presented with Community Champion awards.

The St Mary Magdalene Cemetery Working Group was presented the awards by MP Guy Opperman in a ceremony also attended by Cllr Gordon Stewart, deputy cabinet member for community services at Northumberland County Council.

Regeneration work has been carried out over the years at the West Road site, meaning there is now safe access to graves and improvements to the greenspaces. 

Work has also been carried out to find out information about the people buried there and their history.

Mr Opperman said: "Researching the past is so important for us all.

"Prudhoe is now a large, modern town with a long history, residents are very proud of their town. 

"The hard work carried out by this team of dedicated local people over the last few years has worked wonders and is greatly appreciated by the wider community.

"The team is keen to share the knowledge they have gained with everyone, and in particular the younger generation, I applaud them all for this amazing work."