DUDLEY Volunteer Centre has laid on events to recognise, reward and recruit volunteers across the borough to celebrate Volunteers Week.

The UK's 24th annual Volunteers' Week, which runs next week, is a celebration of volunteers, co-ordinated by Volunteering England.

Dudley Volunteer Centre has organised a series of events to honour the work carried out by Dudley's volunteer-led organisations - which it helps to support.

The aim of the week, which runs from Monday June 1 to Saturday June 6, is also to try and recruit more individuals willing to give up their time to help others.

Eileen Fielding, Dudley Volunteer Centre's development officer, said: "Volunteers' Week is the perfect opportunity to give volunteers the public profile they deserve.

"We're very proud to be celebrating with the volunteers themselves and also those who manage and look after them to help maximise the impact of their efforts."

As part of the week, volunteers from 25 different organisations will be competing in a quiz night on Thursday June 5 at Russells Hall Sports and Social Club.

Starting at 7.30pm, the event will include prizes donated by borough businesses.

And on Friday June 6 from 10am to 3pm, 20 different borough organisations will be taking part in a Volunteers' Fair at Dudley's Churchill Shopping Centre, where volunteers will be on hand to talk to anyone interested in volunteering opportunities in the borough.

Representatives from groups including Cats Protection, Home-Start, hospital radio, Barnardos, Castle and Crystal Credit Union, St Thomas's Community Network, Victim Support, the British Red Cross and The Warehouse will be at the event, which is being opened by The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Ray Burston.

Dudley Volunteer Centre is based in Albion Street, Brierley Hill, at the HQ of Dudley Council for Voluntary Services (DCVS), which provides support to borough volunteers and organisations that rely on their efforts.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities call the centre on 01384 78168 or visit website www.do-it.org.uk - or check out www.volunteersweek.org.uk