The volunteers at the centre in Cranborne were recognised with an award presented by HRH Princess Royal at a ceremony in St James Palace London.

The Princess Royal Training awards are supported by the City and Guilds association and showcase the investment in training made by organisations and the considerable outcomes, which can be achieved from up-skilling their diverse workforce.

Volunteers were praised for their dedication to keeping traditional skills alive through a training programme, which passes their knowledge on to other volunteers so the buildings can be maintained.

The Ancient Technology Centre is nestled in the heart of Cranborne Chase and is home to several historic recreated buildings from the Stone Age through to the Anglo Saxons and is used primarily to teach school children about history.

Colin Alborough, vice chairman of the Ancient Technology Centre Volunteers Association and a volunteer himself, said: “We are the smallest group of people ever to receive such a prestigious award.

“We are so proud of our long-standing volunteers and the work they have done to train our new volunteers.

“It is so essential that we keep up this continuous programme of training which sees these traditional skills being passed on to others. They are our heritage and it is so important that the knowledge is passed on.

“When people come to visit, particularly schools, they always comment that it really helps to bring history to life by seeing the way that people used to live from Stone Age through to Anglo Saxons.”

A variety of skills, including thatching, working with lime plaster and woodworking, have been shared. The centre also has specialist volunteers, such as blacksmiths, who have a skill that they use in their profession but who donate their time to the centre.

The site is owned by Dorset Council but is supported by a team of volunteers who give their time to build and maintain the wonderful structures so that children and the wider public can learn about pre-history and the dark ages.

Andrew Stevens, senior tutor of the centre, said: “Our staff work closely with the volunteers to transfer the skills of our archaeologists to the volunteers who then up-skill their volunteer colleagues to ensure the site is sustainable. This incredible achievement has made us all very proud.”

Cllr Byron Quayle, Dorset Council portfolio holder for children, education skills and early help, said: “This is such a great facility for Dorset and I am really pleased that our children and young people can learn, in an interactive way, about how our ancestors used to live. Congratulations to the team for their fantastic award, which is very well-deserved.”

The award will be on display for visitors to see during one of the three open weekends held by the centre (30 and 31 March, 27 and 28 July, 21 and 22 September) and anyone visiting can also experience ancient crafts first hand.

The centre can also be hired for private events and there is more information at www.ancienttechnologycentre.com