Volunteers at a hospice have been recognised with a royal-themed tea party.

The dining room at St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood was decked out with bunting and British flags today (June 6) to celebrate both the Queen’s 90th birthday and Volunteers’ Week.

The party was in honour of the hospice’s 550 volunteers and the guests were encouraged to wear their very own crowns and tiaras.

Emily Stowe, St Clare’s day therapy manager, was part of the team who organised the royal party.

She said: “We really wanted to hold a special event to thank our wonderful volunteers and give them the chance to be king and queen for the day.

“They are all so dedicated to helping our staff to care for our patients and making St Clare a happy and friendly place. They deserve to be spoiled.”

Volunteers help in a number of ways, including hands-on roles like health care assistants and complimentary therapists, or by taking part in the Community Friends scheme which provides support to carers in their own homes.

Community friend Margaret Hopkinson, 62, from Theydon Bois said: “I’ve been visiting the same lady every Monday afternoon for a year, keeping her company while her husband pops out to attend a regular hospital appointment.

“She is mainly bed-bound and she and her husband both wanted her to have a visitor so she wouldn’t be alone all day.

“She is a brilliant artist and I felt so honoured when she showed me her portfolio of work.”