Four local women have been recognised for the time they have spent in ensuring housebound people can enjoy a good book.

At a recent coffee morning at Ferndown Library the RVS Home Library Service volunteers were presented with their Long Service Awards by Maria Jacobson, RVS service manager Dorset Home Library Service.

Judy Brown, Diane Pollitt and Laurie Smith received their 15-year medals, and Laurie Smith was awarded a 20-year badge. Mrs Pollitt and Mr Smith have now retired from volunteering.

The Home Library Service is provided by Dorset Council and delivered every three weeks by RVS volunteers. It is available free of charge to anybody who loves to read but finds it difficult to get books at their local library due to health or mobility issues. It is free to join, and books and/or talking books are chosen for each person individually, based on their personal preferences and requests.

One of the clients said: “This service has been a real lifeline for me, not being able to get to the library myself, and so loving books, and it provides someone to talk to and to visit me at least once a month.”

To find out more about receiving this service please contact Maria Jacobson, RVS service manager Dorset Home Library Service, on 01305 236666 or e-mail maria.jacobson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk, or contact your local library.