Simon Birch, left, receives the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service from Mary Prior and Dr Timothy Chambers in a ceremony in Bristol

The head of the organisation that cares for Britain’s mountain shelters received a royal accolade on behalf of the charity.

Mountain Bothies Association chairman Simon Birch was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in a ceremony in Bristol on Wednesday.

Bristol’s Lord Lieutenant Mary Prior and Vice Lord-Lieutenant Dr Timothy Chambers handed over the award for the association’s work in restoring and maintaining almost 100 bothies in Scotland, Wales and England.

The association was established in 1965, exactly 50 years ago. It has about 3,700 members and, with the consent and support of their owners, looks after old cottages, huts and similar buildings throughout the wilder parts of the three nations for use, without charge, as open shelters for walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Many of the buildings that are cared for by the MBA would otherwise have become derelict.

All the restoration and maintenance work is undertaken by volunteers and is financed by member subscriptions and by donations. The association receives no public subsidy.

In 2014, the Association spent more than £44,000 on maintenance activities at 59 bothies and volunteers contributed over 1,152 working days.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s golden jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of her coronation.

The QAVS is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. It is the equivalent of the MBE for individuals. The MBA is one of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the UK to receive the Award in 2015.