HARD-working volunteers are celebrating after winning a national award in recognition of their efforts.

Karen Jones and colleagues at Dorchester Volunteer Centre scooped the best national partner prize at the Community Service Volunteers (CSV) Make a Difference Day Awards.

They won the honour for their work in renovating the historic Electric Palace cinema in Bridport as part of last year's Make a Difference Day.

The cinema - built in 1924 - was a centre of the community before it fell into disrepair and was shut down in 1999.

Volunteers helped to clean, dust and polish the building in preparation for the main restoration work. The activity was just one honoured at the star-studded awards ceremony in London.

Top names including Pete Waterman, Charlie Dimmock and Esther Rantzen handed out the gongs and experienced volunteer and Channel 4 journalist Jon Snow hosted the event.

He said: "This project is a great example of what a big difference people can make in just one day. I hope other people take inspiration from this and give their time to improve their community and the lives of others."

For more information on Make a Difference Day visit www.csv.org. uk/difference