A dedicated husband and wife team described as the ‘backbone’ of an animal charity have been awarded an honour at an RSPCA ceremony in London.

Sprightly pensioners Edna and Eric Grover, pictured, received the prestigious Queen Victoria gold award earlier this month at the event hosted by Alastair Stewart ITN journalist and newsreader.

Usually the award is given to an individual but the pair, who have been married for 58 years and live in Dartford, have worked so closely as a team an exception was made this year.

Mrs Grover, 98, has been the branch president for many years while Mr Grover, 81, has been chairman for 45 years and also filled in as secretary and treasurer when needed - sometimes holding these roles simultaneously.

Branch support specialist Becky Blackmore nominated the couple for the award.

She said: “Edna and Eric are the backbone of the branch and have led it from strength to strength.

“No one can remember them ever missing a single branch meeting. Edna is a lifelong animal lover and vegetarian, she is always the first to volunteer, is up at the crack of dawn and is happy to get her hands dirty.

“Many thousands of unwanted, abused and abandoned animals have gone on to live happy lives thanks to the work done in the branch area under their tenure.”

Mr Grover is now working with the wider RSPCA so his branch can fund an Equine Rehoming Facility at Leybourne Animal Centre.

As well as running the branch, the pensioners also set up two successful charity shops in Dartford and Gravesend.

Mr Grover said: “It is exciting to receive such an honour. Edna and I are the first couple to receive the award, and I think this is recognition for all out work with the branch. Edna and I were Mayor and Mayoress of Dartford in the 1960’s and Edna wanted to start running a coffee morning for the RSPCA because of her love for animals. “