Friends and volunteers who help out at and raise funds for libraries and museums have been thanked by Oxfordshire County Council.

They have helped the council run facilities to continue to offer services, despite cuts in Government funding.

A special conference was held by the council, when guest speakers thanked the volunteers.

Councillor Neil Fawcett said: "Friends and volunteers deserve the highest praise. They give up their own time and pledge real local commitment to our libraries and museums.

"It was a pleasure for everyone in the cultural services department to publicly thank them, and I'm sure our sentiments are shared by the people of Oxfordshire generally."