Harbury e-Wheels has received The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) for using electric cars to provide essential transport and support to the rural community of Harbury whilst also working to facilitate e-charging for the whole village. 

The group is one of a number of local organisations to have received awards this month from Tim Cox, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire.

The QAVS is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

The QAVS aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate the late Queen's Golden Jubilee.

So far 244 local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups received the prestigious QAV award this year.

Elsewhere The Pam Britton Trust for Dementia received a QAVS for supporting people living with a dementia illness in Leamington Spa and South Warwickshire.

And Instarmac received The Queen's Award for Enterprise (QAE) for International Trade in recognition for the firm's outstanding overseas trading activities. 

Tim Cox, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, said: "It's always a pleasure and a privilege to visit some of the fabulous organisations we have in Warwickshire and meet those involved in achieving their awards.

"I was delighted to present the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service awards to Harbury e-Wheels and The Pam Britton Trust for Dementia; and a Queens Award for Enterprise to Instarmac.

"It is so important to reward and celebrate excellence in our county, whether that be in the field of voluntary service or enterprise."