Volunteers at The Morpeth Group Riding For The Disabled based at Kirkley Hall in Ponteland, have been named as Coronation Champions.

Carole and Jonathan Peters-Jones, were just two of 500 volunteers hand-picked by a judging panel presided over by the Queen Consort after thousands of nominations all over the country.

The awards celebrate extraordinary volunteers across the country who have been contributing to their communities and became an official Coronation project.

Hexham Courant:

The riding group is a registered charity that gives people with special needs and disabilities a chance to develop their abilities and enrich their lives through riding specially trained ponies. 

Carole, who worked in a law firm before she retiring, has been there for eight years and is a coach as she has previous experience working with horses.

Whereas Jonathon, a former IT manager, has been there for six years and happily assists in sessions.

Hexham Courant:

"It was such a shock when we saw the email telling us that we were named as Coronation Champions," Carole said.

"The email only gave us one day notice that our names would be announced as the champions and we were given specific instructions not to tell anyone until it was released - which was very hard.

"We are delighted to receive this prestigious award but want to reiterate that we feel that we have received this on behalf of all Morpeth RDA volunteers. 

"All the unsung heroes who give so generously of their time and energy every week.

"The role is very rewarding and tiredsome, but when you see riders enjoy themselves and communicate with the horses - it makes it worth the time you have put in."

Hexham Courant:

The pair also got an official Coronation Champions pin and a signed certificate from His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort as well as being invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party.

However, Carole and Jonathon will have to sit at home to watch it.

"With such notice, we were unable to secure a hotel in time," Carole said.

"From Newcastle to London, it looked like a headache to plan, so we will just sit infront of the TV with a glass of wine and 'say that could have been us'."