A popular Hertfordshire charity that helps troubled children and teenagers has been announced as a winner of one of the highest accolades a voluntary group can get in the UK.

Box Cleva, a fitness and discipline scheme for young people across the borough, has been named as one of this year's recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The award celebrates six years of work by the centre, which has helped more than 6,000 children from its Watford base and also hosts outreach provision in schools.

The charity's founder Bob Williams attended a recent garden party at Buckingham Palace where he met the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.

The firefighter, who is one of the schemes 30 volunteers, said: "It is pretty amazing to be recognised by the Queen.

"We have really used the support and praise as encouragement to continue. Like any good idea, we have tried to keep the concept simple.

"Boxing is great for so many things, including tackling obesity, promoting healthy eating and we also offer advice on substance awareness.

"Obviously there have been barriers - such as funding and securing venues - but we have so many success stories to make us all feel proud of. We haven't looked back."

Mr Williams launched a pilot in Borehamwood in the summer of 2010 when a truancy officer asked if he knew anyone who could give boxing training to 12 unruly youths who refused to attend school and showed no interest in sport, apart from boxing.

Following its success, it has since expanded to a number of other venues across the county, offering an innovative way to help teach children channel their energy in a safe environment.

Teaching seven to fifteen-year-olds the discipline behind boxing including training, nutritional advice, and alcohol and smoking awareness sessions, the scheme also promotes a healthy, active lifestyle, ensuring they get the best possible start in life.

Box Cleva runs sessions in north Watford, South Oxhey, St Albans, Borehamwood, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead. Hitchen, Potters Bar and Letchworth.

Anti-social behaviour has fallen by almost 40 per cent in some of the areas where Box Cleva operates.

The chairty is one of 193 to receive the prestigious award this year, which is given in recognition of outstanding work in the community.

Richard Thake, cabinet member for community protection at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Box Cleva is doing some amazing work in Hertfordshire and I am delighted.

“Box Cleva have a proven track record in turning youngsters around who are in danger of getting into trouble on the streets, taking referrals from schools, Crown Prosecution Service or other groups.

"The scheme has a truly amazing level of success, including helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in specific areas where they operate.”

The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Mr Williams, 50, added: "We must be the first organisation that spells their name wrong to get an award from the Queen.

"We look forward to continuing to take children off the street and providing better futures."

Staff and volunteers at centre will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant later this summer.