VOLUNTEERS for a youth charity have been commended for their hard work at a tea party.

Dartford's mayor Councillor Ian Armitt held the reception at the Civic Centre for 12 volunteers from the Dartford branch of 121 Youth Befriending.

They work on a one-to-one basis with young people aged between six and 16 who cannot be fully supported by their family.

Suzy Messenger, the chief executive officer at 121, said: "We feel strongly our volunteers should be thanked publicly and attention drawn to the fabulous contribution they have all made, not just to 121 but also the young lives they have helped."

Volunteer befrienders, based at Enterprise House, Essex Road, Dartford, act as role models and give young people the chance to trust an adult outside the family.

The charity supports around 200 children across Dartford, Gravesend, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and has around 120 volunteers.

For more information, call 01322 294005.