A FILM society volunteer has been recognised by the Monarch after being named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list tonight, Friday.

Elizabeth Costello, from Astley, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the arts community in Leigh.

The mum-of-two is a founder member of Leigh Film Society which was set up five years ago in a Tyldesley cafe.

She also worked as a volunteer for The Turnpike Centre from 2014 to 2016 where was she was instrumental in attracting artists from around the world to perform at the venue.

Leigh Film Society development director Elizabeth said: "I was shocked to find out that I won the award and absolutely honoured.

"I feel like I am accepting it on behalf of all the great volunteers that work so hard in community arts in our area.

"I am very passionate about the arts and especially how it can bring people together.

"We help lots of different groups of people in society and we will carry on doing that."

The royal announcement comes eight days after Elizabeth was at a garden party at Buckingham Palace to pick up The Queen's Award for Volunteer Service for the society.

Elizabeth and the organisation's safeguarding officer Samantha Rigby represented the community group on the day.

The group, which won three Cinema For All Awards last year, is always looking to make improvements.

Elizabeth added: "We have made a big impact on the community since we started five years ago.

"Our screenings are not just about watching a film- they bring people together and help to tackle issues such as social isolation.

"People often come to the society on their own but they become part of our cinema family.

"We think it is important to engage with young people and are working with Edge Hill University and hoping to work with Wigan and Leigh College in the future.

"We are also focusing on social mobility at the moment too."

The society regularly holds dementia-friendly screenings supported by Age UK, and Elizabeth has given lectures in Sheffield and Lancaster about them.

She has also lectured at Edge Hill University to offer her knowledge to film students.