An 81-year-old city man has been nationally recognised for his voluntary work with the Oddfellows society.

Peter Coe, who has been an active member of the City of Norwich Oddfellows for more than six decades, received the accolade in the Working in the Spirit of Mutuality category of the Oddfellows’ Making a Difference Awards.

Mr Coe said: “I was so pleased and overwhelmingly surprised. I’m greatly honoured.

“I’ve put lots of work in over the years and people often say they don’t thank me enough but I don’t need thanks because it’s my life.”

The Oddfellows is one of the UK's oldest and largest societies, having nearly 40,000 members across 99 branches.

Mr Coe joined the society as a 20-year-old and has held various voluntary roles throughout the years, including branch chairman and chairman of the entire Norwich district twice.

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He has been instrumental in recruiting many new members and often takes the lead in organising social activities.

Mr Coe said: “The Oddfellows is full of very, very friendly people. We all get on. I’ve made some very good friends here over the years.

“It’s my life. It’s what I do. The best thing I did was join the Oddfellows.”

Branch secretary of City of Norwich Oddfellows, Edward Murrell, said: “Peter has always taken the responsibility of the roles he has held seriously and is not averse to challenging decisions, should he feel it necessary.

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"At all times, his belief in the future of the society is foremost in his intentions."

Oddfellows has more than 365,000 UK members, 39,600 of which are branch-based members across a network of 99 branches.

With no political or religious affiliations, they describe themselves as "a community bonded by friendship, care and charitable support".