The volunteers behind one of the north-east’s most popular tourist attractions have been given the royal seal of approval.
The Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool were presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on Saturday.
The honour is the voluntary equivalent of the MBE and the highest honour given to volunteer groups in the UK.
The organisation was originally formed in the mid-1990s to help save the pool when it was threatened with closure.
And in recognition of the charity’s history, Kate Bain, the widow of founder Alan Bain, collected the award from Carol Kinghorn, the Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire.
Chairman Pete Hill previously said the award was a huge honour and one that could be shared by everyone who had helped the group over the years.
He said: “We are both honoured and humbled to win this prestigious award which recognises the expertise, skills and hard work carried out by our volunteers, typically over 5,000 hours each year.
“These hours are spent not only on hands-on maintenance to ensure the pool looks its best each season, but also to promote it effectively and to fundraise to buy items and provide entertainment which ensure our customers have the best possible summer lido experience.”
The Edwardian-era pool, the only open air facility in the north-east, has enjoyed a bumper year for visitors due to the soaring summer temperatures.
Last month, the Friends said the number of people taking the plunge into the heated sea water was 56% greater than last year.
Another seven north-east groups also received the award this year.
Fochabers Heritage, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Moray Handy Person Services, Morayvia, Step by Step Moray, Cummings Park Community Flat Volunteers and the Disabled Persons Housing Service Aberdeen and The Sound of the Piper were all honoured.