An MP is celebrating after an Audlem business she nominated for a parliamentary award was recognised by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Antoinette Sandbach, MP for Eddisbury, nominated Rodney Cottrell and his volunteers from the Audlem Overwater Wheelyboat Services for the Points of Light Award, which they received on Wednesday.

The Points of Light Award recognises outstanding individual volunteers who are making a real difference in their communities.

In April 2010, Mr Cottrell launched The Audlem Lass Boat Service, a volunteer-run service operates every weekend from Easter to the end of October, providing trips from the Overwater Marina to Audlem, which has transported more than 37,000 passengers, and raising more than £15,000 for the RNLI.

Having subsequently recognised that the Audlem Lass service was not accessible for those with disabilities, Mr Cottrell and his team also raised £26,000 in three months to enable them to launch The Overwater Wheelyboat Project in June 2015.

Ms Sandbach said: "Rodney is the epitome of the Audlem village’s amazing community spirit, which is driven by a desire to help and make other people’s lives better.

"His kindness and get-up-and-go attitude is an inspiration to all he meets, which is reflected by the dedicated group of volunteers that he has motivated to run the services.

"I warmly congratulate Rodney on his Points of Light award."

More recently, Mr. Cottrell and his volunteers have raised a further £35,000 to purchase a specially adapted minibus to enable disabled visitors, who would otherwise be unable to travel, to access the Wheelyboat service.

In a personal letter to Mr Cottrell, Mrs May said: “You should be very proud of your work fundraising and launching ‘Audlem Lass Boat Service’ and for providing opportunities for disabled people to enjoy Britain’s beautiful waterways.

"I wish you well as your work continues.”

Mr Cottrell added: “I am honoured that the Audlem Overwater Wheelyboat Service has been recognised by the Prime Minister.

"The award is testament to the hard-work and dedication of the team of volunteers, without whom the service simply would not exist.”