DECADES of service by volunteers at a Somerset museum have been recognised with special awards.

More than 30 people were recognised during a special event at Haynes Motor Museum, at Sparkford.

Awards were given to individuals who, over the years, have devoted their time to helping for five, 10, 15 and even 20 years.

“As a registered charity, the museum relies on the generosity of our cohort of volunteers who spend time interacting with our visitors as well as helping care for the vast collection of motors,” said visitor experiences and volunteers officer, Jon Ducker.

“We’re lucky to have such a wide range of different skills within our volunteer team.

“Whether they have a love of cars and bikes or not, there is usually something for anyone to get their teeth into and probably why some of our volunteers have been here so long.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to these remarkable individuals who have generously shared their expertise, passion and time here at the Museum over the years.”

Haynes Motor Museum is at Sparkford, Somerset

The volunteers perform a variety of roles, including exhibition room guiding, caring for vehicle collections, running education sessions for school groups, stewarding events and supporting the museum’s archive.

Volunteer recruits are always welcome at the venue, with the hope of new roles being created later this year to help support new projects.

Haynes Motor Museum has recently been awarded official museum accreditation by Arts Council England.

It is home to the UK’s largest collection of vehicles and opened in 1985, the brainchild of John Haynes OBE, the man behind the world-famous Haynes car manuals.

For more information call 01963 442783, or visit www.haynesmuseum.co.uk.