TWO sisters from Leominster have been recognised after half a century of voluntary work.

Jennifer and Susan Chapman have been helping to raise funds for the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen – which helps fishing families in times of crisis – since they were children.

But when their parents were not able to continue collecting house to house funds in the Caswell area of Leominster, the sisters stepped in.

And at the charity's annual general meeting in Blackpool in April, the sisters were presented with certificates in recognition of their dedication, having spent 50 years volunteering.

"It was very exciting to be invited to London. It's only on rare occasions that you are invited to Trinity House," said Jennifer.

"Collections were made once a year and we'd spend a couple of evenings going round to collect, hoping that people would be generous. And they usually were. But it would normally take around two weeks for us to complete the whole circuit."

The sisters added that they were very grateful to local people for helping them to raise funds and awareness of the charity each year.