BOSSES at a North-East financial organisation are celebrating after it was awarded a prize described as the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups.

Darlington Credit Union is one of only two groups in the region to win a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Four volunteers from the organisation, which was formed in 2009 following the merger of four smaller credit unions, will this week travel to London to attend a garden party being hosted by the Queen for the winners.

The award will be presented by Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, later in the year.

A total of 117 voluntary groups around the UK were named as award winners.

Created by the Queen to mark her Golden Jubilee in 2002, the awards have particular resonance this year, which marks the 60th anniversary of her coronation.

The winners will receive a commemorative crystal and a certificate signed by the Queen.

Volunteers Pat Buckle, Pat Coggins, Pat Dean and Marjory Knowles have been chosen to represent the credit union at the garden party on Thursday (June 6).

Alan Coultas, chairman of the credit union, said: “This is a great honour and a fantastic achievement and is a just reward for the efforts of our volunteers.

“To be one of just two groups in the North-East to have been chosen, particularly this year with it being the 60th anniversary of the coronation, is a fantastic accolade.”

The credit union, which offers a savings and loan service to its 3,000 members, is in the process of expanding and aims to increase its membership base to 10,000.

Credit union co-ordinator Tony Brockley echoed Mr Coultas’ delight at the award.

The other North-East group to be recognised was the volunteers who run Alnwick Garden, in Northumberland.

Nick Hurd MP, minister for civil society, part of the Cabinet Office, which oversees the award, said: “I would like to congratulate all those who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their achievements.

“Having met some of them recently, I was struck by their passion and motivation and hope they will inspire others around them to get involved in volunteering and make a positive impact in their communities.”

For more information about Darlington Credit Union, visit darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk