VOLUNTEERS at the Andover Big Help Out event received a royal surprise, as Lady Louisa Portal read a letter from the newly crowned King and Queen.

The Big Help Out was announced in January as an event to mark the Coronation in tribute to the King’s public service, encouraging people to volunteer and help their local communities.

Andover Trees United is a charity organisation that lets people of all ages take a hands-on approach to wildlife conservation.

It held a Big Help Out with volunteers working in the woodlands and helping to build the new cabin.

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Wendy Davis, who heads the project, said: "It's been lovely, the volunteers here have done a brilliant job today, as they always do."Andover Advertiser:

"A lot of us doing a little bit really goes a long way, the whole project has been run by volunteers not just today but over the last few years."

She added: "Our youth group have worked so hard to earn their Queen's Green Canopy Junior Forester Awards, and we thought this Coronation weekend is the perfect time to present them."

"Lady Portal is a great friend to the work we do, it felt appropriate to ask her to give the children their awards."

Representative of the Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Lady Louisa Portal, attended the event and presented each member of the youth group with a specially minted 50-pence piece.Andover Advertiser:

In a speech, Lady Portal said: "I'm going to take this opportunity to thank you all on behalf of the King, it really matters, particularly here as the environment is so close to the community."

She also had a special message for the volunteer team, directly from King Charles III himself.

One member of the youth group is Natalia Vallance, in her time at the project she has worked on the 'conservation corner' and pinch-point to narrow the path and make it safer for animals to cross, as well as planting the first Scots Pine.

She said: "I really enjoy it here, it's a good place to have a laugh and being in nature is much better for your mental health."Andover Advertiser:

Tilly Newell, another youth volunteer, said: "We've created a whole community of different ages, we learn new skills and even get to teach younger children."Andover Advertiser:

Pete Barr has volunteered for almost seven years, he said: "It's like a family atmosphere here, we feel good to give something back."

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Ben Startup has been building the cabin since it was just a frame.Andover Advertiser:

He said: "We aim to have it done later this year, and it can be used for outdoor classrooms and various events."

Liz Scrace, one of the Trustees, said: "We want it to be a useful centre for the community, especially the children, to benefit from."

The organisation is holding a fundraiser event for their cabin, details can be found on their website.