DESPITE being in her eighties, great-grandmother Phyllis Burland spends every day volunteering at a charity shop.

For the past fourteen years the 86-year-old has clocked up thousands of hours at Barnardo's on High Street, Blackwood.

Now the Pontllanfraith pensioner's hard work and dedication is being recognised with a certificate from the charity's patron, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Barnardo's manager Jayne Hawkins said Mrs Burland is "worth her weight in gold."

"She would be here all day every day if she could.

"She is 86 but she has more energy than people a quarter her age.

"She usually helps us out every afternoon, but if we ask her to do a full day if we are stuck, she doesn't bat an eyelid."

Mrs Burland, whose husband Len died 24 years ago, took up voluntary work after retiring as a grocery store supervisor.

She said: "I thought I must find something for my hands to do, and I wanted to do some little bit of good for the rest of my life.

"I always go home happy, it's a very rewarding job.

"I hope to go on for ten more years!"

Instead of going to London to receive her award, modest Mrs Burland, who has one son, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, decided to have the certificate sent to her.

  • Barnardo's has more than 30 shops across Wales and is always looking for volunteers who can give up a few hours of their time each week to help out.

For further information visit: www.barnardos.org.uk.