MEMBERS of a Newport action group have received a national award for services to the community.

Members of Pride in Pill were presented with the Queen’s Award by the Lord Lieutenant, Robert Aitken, for their “tireless work” yesterday. The presentation took place at Mariners Court, Newport to a room full of delighted people.

Paul Murphy, who founded Pride in Pill in 2014, said the group members discovered that they had won the award in April.

He said: “We weren’t expecting it so when we were told we had won we couldn’t believe it.

“As part of the award we went to the garden party at Buckingham Palace in London.

“It was amazing and the atmosphere was great.”

Mr Murphy, who lives in Ocean Court, Pill, said he is “over the moon” with the award.

Mr Murphy said: “Who’d have thought a local group, like us, would have won a big award.

“We were told at the presentation that we had won it because of our service to the community.”

He added: “Pride in Pill is out almost every day picking up needles, clearing fly-tipping and picking up litter. We just want to make Pill a cleaner place to live.

“For us to get an award is great.”

Pill resident Mohammad Almasi welcomed news of the group receiving the Queen’s Award.

He said: “It’s wonderful that they’ve been given the Queen’s Award. Pride in Pill wants to make Pill a better place to live.

“I’ve met Paul Murphy and the other members and they’re dedicated to Pill.

“I see them out most days cleaning. They deserve this award.”

Pride in Pill supporter Ken James, 53, added: “I’ve been out with the group a few times and they work hard.

“Congratulations Pride in Pill with getting the award.”

For more information on the group, visit www.facebook.com/pamurpaol/