YEARS of dedicated caring for their communities have earned volunteers a big "thank-you".

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) paid tribute to more than 130 years of combined service from six volunteers in a presentation at Bury Town Hall.

Meals on Wheels volunteers Dorothea Sykes and Arthur Broughton received medals for carrying out a minimum of 40 duties every year for at least 15 years. Arthur has offered his time to the Whitefield meals service for the last 17 years, and Dorothea to the Bury arm of the operation for the last 16 years.

Also presented with a medal was Marian Hawley, from Bury, who has been a volunteer at Bury General, then Fairfield Hospital, since 1985.

Volunteers Muriel Klapish, Maureen Mendelson and Felicity Silverman each received certificates for their contributions to Meals on Wheels in Prestwich.

Although not members of the WRVS, the trio have put in more than 80 years of service between them.

Vice-chairman of the WRVS for Greater Manchester Val Everitt, who presented the awards, said: "All of the volunteers do so much for Bury."

For information about becoming a WRVS volunteer, contact 0845 601 4670.