A men's mental health support group has received the highest UK award for a local voluntary group.

Eastbourne-based Mankind, which was founded by Ian Pickard and Paul Roskilly in 2020, was given The King's Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.

The group was set up to help men with their mental health after the suicide of a close mutual friend.

Mr Pickard said: "What a great honour it is to receive this award recognising our work over the last five years.

"This award will really help raise our profile in East Sussex which, in turn, will help us grow the group and support we are able to offer men who are struggling."

The founders, as well as other members of Mankind, will be given their award later in the summer.

They will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next May.

Mr Roskilly said: "We are so proud of the men who have had the courage to walk through our door and trust us.

"We started as a group which has become a community of men who are a support for each other.

"It is those men who have enabled us to be recognised with this wonderful award."