A FLOOD protection group has been recognised by the Queen for the second time in two years.

The Lord Lieutenant, Lady Darnley, last month presented the secretary of Bodenham Flood Protection Group, Babs Mitcheson, with the British Empire Medal in recognition of her work with the group.

In 2015, the group was also given The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Ms Mitcheson said the flood protection group was very much a team effort and, in addition to the work which members do on a regular basis clearing the watercourses, they were to be commended on actively looking out for, helping and supporting one another.

The group was formed in 2008 after the 2007 floods which affected many Herefordshire towns and villages. In Bodenham Moor some 40 houses were flooded, with many more garages, conservatories and outhouses damaged. The cost was more than £500,000 in damage to residences alone.

Since then, the group has actively protected the village from flooding by clearing local ditches, drains and culverts and cutting back vegetation to allow the water to flow freely down to the River Lugg.