DEDICATED members of Stourbridge Spiritualist Church have been commended for notching up more than 475 years' combined long service.

Awards were given out to members who have devoted decades to the Union Street church on Saturday November 26.

A total of 19 church members were honoured for giving more than 25 years' service to Stourbridge Spiritualist Church; while Janet Seddon, who has been involved with a number of spiritualist churches, was presented with a gold award for 50 years' service to Spiritualism.

Laraine Killarney, president and acting minister at Stourbridge Spiritualist Church, said: "They've all done more than 25 years and they've all worked on committees or as healers - giving service to the church to keep it going. That's an awful lot of experience and dedication."

Healer Graham Dann and former committee members Marjorie and Harry Saiche were among those presented with awards which were issued by the Spiritualists' National Union.

The church, which has been based its present location since 1926, is still going strong - despite the death last year of much-loved former minister and honourary president Eric Hatton, who was one of Spiritualism's best-known ambassadors.

Laraine said: "We're very lucky; we have one of the largest congregations in the West Midlands."

Stourbridge based medium Lynda Wakefield will be guest speaker at the church this Saturday (December 3). For more details go to website - stourbridgespiritualistchurch.co.uk