FOR 12 years, she has visited a blind woman every week to have a chat and help around the home.

Now Anna Cook's work as a volunteer with York Blind And Partially Sighted Society has been recognised with an invitation to a reception at 10 Downing Street, where she met Tony and Cherie Blair.

Anna visits Audrey Thompson, of Dringhouses, York, to help her round the house.

She was one of about 150 volunteers from across the country who went to the event before Christmas, which was intended to thank frontline workers for the contributions they are making to their local communities.

Anna told today how she shook hands with the Prime Minister before sitting down on a sofa for a five-minute chat with Cherie about her work as a volunteer.

"She was really lovely," said Anna, 38, of Holgate. "She had time for everybody."

Anna said Mr Blair had paid tribute to the gathered volunteers, saying they were the "glue that holds communities together".

The Prime Minister said after the event: "By celebrating the vital role played by some of our unsung heroes and heroines, we recognise the part played by hundreds of thousands of volunteers in our country and I hope, in doing so, encourage others to follow their lead in giving something back to their communities."

Anna's honour delighted the York Blind And Partially Sighted Society, which works to provide practical help, emotional support and companionship to visually-impaired people in York, who are often isolated because of their sight problems.

Alison Cragg, volunteer co-ordinator for the society's home visiting service, said Anna was one of about 50 volunteers who visited people on a weekly or fortnightly basis to offer help with such things as reading and answering mail and accompanying them for a walk or shopping trip.

Some also took people out on an outing or to a leisure activity, helped them choose large print or talking books, and just conversation and befriending over a cuppa.

"Anna has been a volunteer since 1994 and in that time has visited her client, Audrey, who is registered blind and has a guide dog, to help with mail, paperwork, and choosing talking books.

"Twelve years shows wonderful commitment to the scheme but is not unique; earlier this year two volunteers retired after doing this work for 18 and 12 years respectively."

Anna said she tried to visit Audrey, 76, every week without fail, and they had now become good friends. "She is like a second mother," she said.

Alison said the society was always looking for new volunteers to join.

"Potential volunteers need to be aged over 16, have an interest in people, a non-judgmental attitude and able to spare a minimum of two hours per week. Volunteers receive full training in visual awareness, listening skills, and roles and responsibilities."