VOLUNTEERS who help keep Whitehaven in ship-shape condition have been rewarded with £500 for their efforts. 

Whitehaven Ship-Shapers were awarded one of Costa Coffee’s 50th Anniversary community awards for their tidying and communitarian efforts. 

Lara Schwab, who has been orchestrating the clean-up sessions for over a year now, said the team were "really pleased" that the Costa staff had put them forward for the award. 

READ MORE: Whitehaven Ship-Shapers - the group keeping Whitehaven in tip-top shape

"We're currently tidying a derelict piece of land near the Argos car park, we're clearing it up now and hopefully the money can be used to get some planters and plants for it - making it look all that nicer. 

"The money will go to anything that helps us clean up the town really - we're very proud to receive this award," she said. 

On hand to collect the award from the Costa staff was Lara herself, Tony Tait, Alan Booth, Christine MacManus, Lisa Fyfe. 

The group meets up about once a month and are currently appealing for more volunteers who take pride in the town of Whitehaven to get involved. 

"We are looking for more volunteers, we do have a really enthusiastic team who help already but it would be nice to get more hands helping, it would just make the work all that easier," she said. 

For anyone looking to volunteer, keep an eye on the Whitehaven Ship-Shapers Facebook page for all updates and meet details.

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