THE "unsung heroes" who rescue victims of accidents on the moors within a wide radius of Grassington received a rare accolade from the Queen.

The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and royal representative in the county, Lord Crathorne, presented the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award.

Only 200 such awards for outstanding work by voluntary groups have been granted in the United Kingdom and only four have gone to North Yorkshire.

Formed 55 years ago, the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association is a vital adjunct to the emergency services, carrying out such roles as bringing people who have suffered injury down from isolated paths to the roads where they can be put in an ambulance, searching for missing persons and rescuing people who have fallen down rocks or been taken ill.

A total of 98 men and women, all of whom had put in at least five years' service, received a special gold medal to mark their voluntary service.

Lord Crathorne told the rescuers and their guests: "I want to emphasise just what a great accolade it is for you to win this.

"The fact that you are one of only four in the county to be chosen for the Queen's Golden Jubilee award is something you should be really proud of."

He said the award went to "unsung heroes" and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was more than a team, it was a family, which knew the value of working together closely.

"Many families have cause to be extremely grateful to your family for your help and rescues over the last 55 years," he said.

The association started with scanty equipment based in Grassington Police Station but moved to a disused railway parcel van which it purchased for £1.

Later it moved its base to a disused signal box - "you really lashed out and paid £10," quipped the Lord Lieutenant - before finally moving to a purpose-built headquarters in 1978.

Its name, the Hut, is a misnomer, as it is a large, well-equipped stone building and there was another royal seal of approval when it opened in 1978 for Prince Charles attended to carry out the official opening ceremony.

The chairman of the association, Harry Long, said the presentation of the Queen's award was a momentous day for an organisation which had had many momentous occasions over 55 years.

He also presented a surprise gift to Chris Baker, the previous chairman who had been in office for 28 years until retiring in November last year.

As Mr Baker struggled with the packaging, the Lord Lieutenant, in full regalia, came to the rescue drawing his ceremonial sword and slicing through the binding tape to reveal a combined video, DVD and CD player. It might have had the health and safety experts in a frenzy but at least there were plenty of first aid specialists on hand in case the sword slipped!

Lord Crathorne was also given a tour of the headquarters and spoke with members of the association about their work.