DEDICATED volunteers who have worked in a Widnes charity shop for 50 years between them have been honoured.

Betty Morris, aged 63, and Joan Cubbon, aged 75, from Widnes, received a national award from Cancer Research UK in recognition of their outstanding contribution.

The annual Flame of Hope acknowledges remarkable efforts in fundraising and volunteering.

The two women were named as Honorary Fellows in celebration of their unflinching loyalty.

They received the accolade at a special ceremony in London.

Betty said: “I would be lost without volunteering at the shop. I love helping out behind the scenes and preparing the stock to go onto the shop floor.

“Attending such a special ceremony was an absolute honour.”

Joan said: “The shop is a fantastic place to volunteer as we all get on so well and have wonderful, loyal customers.”

Jane Bullock, of Cancer Research UK, said: “These awards are our way of saying thanks to the peple who are the lifeblood of our organisation.We salute our supportersbecause together we will beat cancer.”