A BLACK Country charity which provides emergency food supplies to families in crisis has been honoured with a prestigious Royal award.

Black Country Foodbank has been awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - the highest accolade a volunteer-led group can receive in the UK.

The charity, based in Brierley Hill, was set up in 2006 to provide three days worth of emergency food parcels to families and individuals experiencing real hardship.

Since then demand for the service has rocketed.

John Cook, on behalf of Black Country Foodbank, said volunteers running the charity were "delighted" to have received the award.

He added: "It's a credit to all those who work incredibly hard for BCFB giving time and energy to a valuable community charity.

"We are able to continue to provide emergency food parcels due to the generosity of our donors and we are extremely grateful to all those who have supported us over the years and continue to support us."

Black Country Foodbank is one of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to have been honoured with the award this year.

To celebrate the Christian charity's success, founder member Wendy Fryatt and Kelvin Bates from Foodbank were invited to attend a garden party on May 20 at Buckingham Palace where they met The Queen and other winners of this year's award.

The Queen's Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Viv Astling, said: "I was delighted to learn that Black Country Foodbank had been successful and the efforts in providing vital services to the community had been justifiably recognised."

The charity will be officially presented with the award by the Lord Lieutenant later this summer.

Anyone wishing to donate items or get involved with the Black Country Foodbank can email admin@blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk