TIRELESS volunteer Marion Wallace, who has been awarded an MBE, was honoured by the community she serves at a special lunch.

Marion (66), who will receive her award at Buckingham Palace later this year, was toasted by social work staff, clients, Paton Street Family Centre, staff from Bow Farm Home Support and family and friends at Greenock's Bow Farm Neighbourhood Centre.

The modest great-granny received several gifts, including a medal from Inverclyde Council and a watch and flowers from colleagues.

Big-hearted Marion, who herself was brought up in care, has worked hard to support elderly people and children in their own community so they don't have to go into care.

She juggled her tireless voluntary work with bringing up four children of her own.

In the past 30 years, the Greenock mum has worked with youth groups, the unemployed and elderly and disabled people.

One of her greatest achievements was setting up Bow Farm Home Support in 1988, a befriending scheme to help vulnerable people.

The project now has 12 paid workers and offers help in other ways, including taking clients for shopping and out on trips.

Pat Mooney, service co-ordinator with the project, said: `Marion is marvellous and has achieved a great deal. She set up the service and has been chairperson for many years. The project helps the elderly, disabled, people with learning difficulties and lone parents. It aims to relieve isolation and reduce admissions to residential care, whether it be elderly people or children.` Marion is still amazed at being honoured with an MBE for her work in the community.

She said: `I'm still a bit shocked about it. I was just doing a job I wanted to do. But I'm quite looking forward to going to the palace.

`Today has been marvellous. It's been a total surprise. They asked me to make a speech but I couldn't say anything. I was overwhelmed. It means a great deal to me that people in the community have done this.` Ward councillor Eddie Gallacher said: `We just wanted to say well done to Marion and to thank her for her contribution to the community over the last 30 years. We are very proud of her.`