VOLUNTEERS from the region will be attending a special royal service today in recognition of their outstanding community service.

Among those attending the Royal Maundy Service, held in Windsor, are Anne Goodman, from Houghton-le-Spring, Margot Inglis, from Stockton, former Sunderland police officer Bill Ford and Dick Thorndyke, a retired headteacher.

They will receive Maundy money from the Queen at a service at St George's Chapel - an annual ceremony dating back to the 1200s.

At Easter, it was was customary for the reigning monarch to give out Maundy money to those in need.

Today, the presentation takes place in recognition of the service of elderly people to their community and their church.

The Right Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham said: “I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen in her 92nd Birthday year has chosen to recognise these outstanding individuals.

"The amazing work that Anne, Margot, Bill and Dick do and the way that they do it in our communities in blessing them for the transformation of us all is simply outstanding.

“Each recipient has made a significant and lasting difference to their communities through their voluntary service and I am thrilled that the Queen’s award of Maundy Money recognises this vital contribution.”

Mrs Goodman, who attends St Michael and All Angels Church, where she has run the toddler group for 50 years, served Deanery Synod for 20 years, served for nearly 20 years as a director of DFW Adoption and ran the Coalfields Area Refugee and Asylum Seekers support group for 15 years. She has been on the Kepier Hall management team for over 40 years.

Mrs Inglis, who attends Tees Valley Community Church, has been a member of Stockton Town Pastor Patrol, going out twice a month, for six years.

Mr Ford, from St Gabriel’s in Sunderland, is well known in his community and is still actively involved in his parish church.

Mr Thorndyke is a retired headteacher who has contributed a great deal to the community through his work with the Diocesan Board of Education , as a governor of several schools, and as the Lay Chair of Wearmouth Deanery .