A CHARITY which provides support to teenagers has been presented with a prestigious award.

Teen Talk Harwich, was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a special presentation evening on Monday.

The accolade was presented to the charity by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, at the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre, in Dovercourt.

Teen Talk has been providing services in Tendring for 22 years with volunteering opportunities for both young people and adults.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.

Teen Talk received the award for supporting young people, building strengths and capabilities to help them succeed.

Hayley Lovett, Teen Talk’s chief executive, said: “Teen Talk is delighted to have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

“To have been able to celebrate the important work of our volunteers with members of our community has been wonderful.

“Many of our community projects over the years would have been impossible to achieve without the dedication and enthusiasm of both our youth and adult volunteers.”

Billy Ball, a director at Clacton Pier, said: “The Pier is delighted to sponsor this event for Teen Talk which provides such a valuable service to young people across the whole of the Tendring district.” “Young people form a large part of our customer base and we are proud to have this opportunity to support a charity which offers those aged 11-25 information and help when they need it most.”