A Ledbury charity worker has been presented with a special long service award to replace one stolen by thieves.

Mavis Reynolds, of Laurel Cottage, Little Marcle, was originally given the long service award in 2002 after working at St Michael's Hospice shop for six-and-a-half years.

But her house was burgled while she was on holiday this year and thieves stole her jewellery and the award, a small silver brooch bearing the hospice's logo.

Mrs Reynolds was devastated, but had no idea that the award was going to be replaced until it was announced at this year's awards ceremony.

She said: "It was an absolute surprise and it really meant the world to me. It was almost worth being burgled! It was such a nice gesture."

The ceremony took place in the grounds of the hospice and the awards were presented to a number of charity workers by the mayor of Hereford, Coun Ursula Attfield.

Mrs Reynolds has worked at the shop, in Bank Crescent, since she moved to Ledbury seven years ago.

She said: "It's a worthwhile project and two of our friends passed away there, so I like to contribute what I can."

The manager of the hospice's fundraising Malvern shop, Ivan Spencer, also collected an award for five years' service.

He said he was pleased, but thought the time he had worked there paled in comparison to some of the volunteers, who have given up as much as 17 years to work in the shops.

He said: "It's a good cause and the hospice is the biggest and best in the county. All the volunteers work very hard."

Awards were also given to Ledbury volunteers Margaret Phillips and Barbara Fortnum.