Hundreds of bookworms have been rewarded for volunteering at libraries across the borough over the past year.

They were thanked as part of a Celebration Event at Barnet Borough Council’s offices, in the North London Business Park, in Oakleigh Road South.

Aged between 14 and 86, the volunteers have collectively provided a total of 2,744 hours to assist staff in libraries in the last year.

Matthew Hibbett, 14, said: “I became a volunteer last summer and enjoyed helping the young children learn to read. I took part in the reading challenge when I was their age and it was nice to be able to help.”

The oldest volunteer to be commended was 86-year-old Sadie Allen.

Mayor Councillor Melvin Cohen, cabinet member for access and partnerships Cllr Robert Rams and cabinet member for education Cllr Reuben Thompstone presented them with certificates.

The volunteering programme has been supported by Volunteer Centre Barnet and recognised by the national volunteering association Experts in Volunteering and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

Cllr Rams said: “This was a wonderful event once more. It was great to see so many people giving up their time to support our wonderful library service. I am so pleased that this event has become an annual occurrence and I hope to see many of the people who attended at the event next year.”