A MEALS on Wheels volunteer has retired after 14 years.

More than 40 volunteers attended a coffee morning at Northallerton Methodist Church to celebrate the contribution made by Pam Moffatt.

It was organised by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) and the charity's territory manager, George Mackintosh, presented her with some flowers.

Ms Moffatt was the district organiser for Hambleton since 1994 and is succeeded by Jane Hirst.

She joined the WRVS in 1993 as local organiser for Morton-on-Swale. As a district organiser she was responsible for more than 20 rounds and 200 volunteers. She was also co-ordinator for Northallerton Home Library Service until 2005 and got involved with various projects, including trying to overcome the shortage of regular volunteers.

In 1996 she contributed to a published study by the National Centre for Volunteering that investigated what organisations can do to attract more volunteers from different ethnic backgrounds as well as unemployed, young, old and disabled people. She also helped with a local pension service leaflet drop and gave talks to schools.

One her happiest moments was to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate 60 years service of the WRVS. She also manned a WRVS Information Desk at Wimbledon in 1993.

But her proudest memory was successfully nominating Meals on Wheels driver, June Darrah, for an MBE in 1998.

Ms Moffatt will continue her role as volunteer co-ordinator for the Emergency Service Volunteers.

The coffee morning was also an opportunity for recognition to be given to three other Meals on Wheels volunteers who have received WRVS Long Service Awards: June Darrah, Patricia Miller and Joan Gauld.

Anyone interested in volunteering for Meals on Wheels should call Ms Hirst on 01609-772835 between 10am and 1pm on Friday mornings at the WRVS office in Northallerton Methodist Church.