A TRAFFORD animal charity has received the royal seal of approval.

The Society for Abandoned Animals in Stretford was presented with a Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service - the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

Janet Tate-Smith and Barry Saunders, from the animal sanctuary, collected an engraved, commemorative crystal trophy and a certificate signed by the Queen at a special ceremony at Gorton Monastery on August 30.

They were presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Paul Griffiths .

The charity, based at Mosley Acre Farm on the Sale/Stretford boundary, rehomes unwanted and abandoned rabbits, cats and dogs.

It was originally established in 1966 to deal with the large numbers of animals displaced by the housing clearance in the Hulme area of Manchester.

In the past five years the society has rehomed 50 dogs, 1195 cats and 226 rabbits and provided advice and education to more than 500 people at special animal welfare days, which it arranges for the community. The 150 volunteers come from all walks of life and all ages from 16 years upwards.

Janet Tate-Smith, the chairman of trustees for the Society of Abandoned Animals. said: "We’re thrilled to receive this award and hope it helps shine a spotlight on our work so we can offer a better environment for the animals, staff and volunteers.

“Receiving this high profile and prestigious award reinforces our reputation and the need for our services within the local community.

"It will hopefully encourage more people with a passion for animals and animal welfare to give up their time and skills in tackling the ever increasing abandonment of pets and enabling those animals who come into our care to find their forever loving home.

"It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our volunteers in providing high quality animal care both on site and within a foster care environment. The lack of funding for animal charities is a huge challenge so we’re reliant on support from local businesses and the time and dedication of staff and volunteers.

"Extra funding is desperately needed so we can do essential repair work to the outbuildings of this former farm and reopen some of our pens that we were forced to close which will enable us to return dogs to site for rehoming.”

The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith, said: “This group is a very worthy recipient which has done so much for the welfare of animals, and sets an excellent example for other members of their community to follow.

"Over the years we have met so many deserving groups who give their time freely for the benefit of others. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a voluntary group. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation. We would encourage more groups in Trafford to step forward and be recognised for the wonderful work they do.”

The closing date for nominations for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2018 is September 15.

For information on how to nominate a group, visit: www.manchesterlieutenancy.org or www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service.