LORD Lieutenant of Cumbria presented the British Empire Medal to outstanding volunteer organisers.

Mrs Claire Hensman presented the BEM to Dr Arthur Robinson of Old Hutton and Mr Martyn Welch of New Hutton for their work in leading a team of up to 100 volunteers to extend the B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North) network north through Preston Patrick, Old Hutton and Holmescales, and New Hutton.

Dr Robinson said: "We felt it was an honour. But it was more recognition for the community, all we did was lead a willing community who came forward too get the job done.

The organisation implemented the route through the three parishes, and spent three years in obtaining a total of £450,000 of investments to advance the project.

Together they ensured everyone in the three parishes can access hyperfast broadband of one gigabit per second.

Dr Robinson and Mr Welch were originally awarded the medal in June 2019.