A city smallholding has been handed a prestigious gong from Buckingham Palace.

Freightliners Farm, in Sheringham Road, Holloway, has been given the Queen’s award for volunteering.

The Deputy Lieutenant for Islington Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes presented the certificate during a gathering at the farm last Wednesday.

Liz McAllister, chief executive of the farm, said: “It was amazing to be nominated for it, but then to get a phone call from the palace saying the we have won was fairly special.

“We get a certificate and can use their logo to show we have won.

“Its like an MBE for voluntary organisations. It’s very prestigious and we’re really pleased to be awarded it.

“It’s so nice for the all the volunteers. We always tell them ‘thank you’, but for them to be recognised like this is great and really brings home what they do.”