VOLUNTEERS at Walton Lea Partnership are proving to be central to the charity as it steps up its plans for the remainder of the year.

The organisation, which provides services principally for adults with learning disabilities, has retained Green Flag awards at its Higher Walton site, off Chester Road, and its Orford base, on Long Lane.

But despite the recognition at the walled garden, as well as the garden centre, commercial manager Kate Fitch is encouraging residents across the town to visit the sites to see the surroundings first hand.

"It is great to receive the awards and is a result of the amount of work everybody here has put in," she said.

"The sites are really clean and we have been innovative to improve them too and hope people come here to see what has been done.

"There has been an awful lot of effort put in and it has been a long process but it is all worth it."

During her 14 years at Walton Lea Kate has saw the charity grow substantially but she admits it would not be possible without volunteers.

"One of the key things we focus on here is engaging with volunteers and we are really grateful for all of the hours that they put in," she added.

"For some, the hours that they put in amounts to several days a week.

"What we do here would just not be possible without them."

For further information visit 860143 or 632847.