RYEDALE Youth Theatre has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2016, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in Britain.

For the past 25 years, the Malton group has encouraged and instructed young Ryedale and North Yorkshire people aged eight to 18 in all aspects of the performing arts.

More than 80 volunteers are involved each year filling roles such as director; choreographers; production; voice coach; chaperones; wardrobe mistress and assistants; stage manager and carpenters; electricians; props managers and front of house.

"From a modest start, the group has grown to become one of the most well respected youth theatres in the country," says chairman Barbara Wood, who attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace with secretary Barbara Murray on May 19, when they met Her Majesty The Queen.

"We're all very proud and honoured to have received the award which recognises excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community and is the MBE for volunteer groups," says Barbara.

Ryedale Youth Theatre is one of 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to be given the prestigious award this year. The awards were were created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.

Ryedale Youth Theatre will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire later this summer.