A VOLUNTEER who has devoted 21 years to the Prince of Wales Hospice, which serves the Selby area, received a prestigious award in London today.

Phyllis Hague, who hails from Pontefract, collected the Order of Mercy from the Lord Mayor of London at a special ceremony to honour those who work in the caring environment.

Mrs Hague was one of the first fundraisers who campaigned for a hospice to serve Selby, Goole and Pontefract, and she remains heavily involved with charity 21 years later.

She was nominated for the award by the board of trustees at the Prince of Wales Hospice, in Pontefract.

Her success provided a fitting end to a week of activities to mark National Volunteers' Week.

Updated: 12:11 Friday, June 06, 2003