The manager of a North West Hampshire charity hopes a major award will raise awareness of the difficult lives so many youngsters in the area have.

Andover Young Carers was handed the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service yesterday - the MBE for groups.

The charity gives young people a chance to get away from their responsibilities of looking after a family member with a long-term illness, disability or addication.

Lorena Burlison runs the group: "One of the top priorities is to raise awareness of the plight of these young carers. They're aged from eight to 18 and we need to get the word out that this is going on on your doorsteps."

The award was presented to Lorena and her team by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. Dame Mary Fagan is the Queen's representative in the county and joined with the Mayor of Test Valley and North West Hampshire's MP as well as local business leaders and volunteers to celebrate Andover Young Carers' success.

She she's they're doing a great job: "It's remarkable what they have achieved, they way they help our young, and they deserve to have support.

"I also think that Andover has taken on board their commitment to the organisation and I hope that everybody will help in whatever way they can. I've just been talking to Rotary who are going to refurbish the kitchen here next week. Everybody must be an ambassador for this organisation."