Two students from Haverhill have been presented with awards in recognition of their volunteering work in the community.

Matti Kasperek and Ben Gibson, both Year 11 pupils at Castle Manor Academy, have been awarded Young Person in Service Awards by Haverhill Lions Club.

The pair were both part of a small group of students who volunteered at Haverhill Foodbank for four months as well as contributing to conservation work at Depden Care Farm, helping to organise the town’s youth market and litter picking.

They volunteered for a total of 50 hours in one year and Haverhill Lions Club president Len Russell and deputy Phillip Cheesmur awarded the pupils a framed certificate and club flag.

Mr Russell said: “We are a respected international organisation and we volunteer in our local community, being a friend to people in need.

“It’s lovely to see young people who have the same ethos as the Lions and we hope more students will want to get involved in similar projects.”

Vanessa Whitcombe, Castle Manor Academy headteacher, said: “I am so proud of these boys.

“We are working hard as a school to embed the importance of being kind to each other.”