Two of Chichester’s longest-serving volunteers have been honoured at Twickenham for their commitment to the club.

Dennis and Mary Phillips received their awards at a surprise ceremony at the stadium during a tour of the ground.

They first visited the club in 1979 to enrol their son in Chichester’s mini-rugby section – the start of a 25-year association with the West Sussex club.

Since then Dennis, 60, has coached, played and refereed before managing the bar and chairing the mini section. He is now the president of a mini and junior section with more than 200 registered players.

His wife Mary, 58, helped to run the mini and youth section, assisted with the bar management and is now the club manager, responsible for maintenance, catering, kit and functions.

They received their awards in the stadium from RFU Volunteer Manager Carole Thelwall-Jones as part of the RFU’s Value The Volunteer initiative to reward the contributions of thousands of club workers throughout the country.

The presentation was the second of the day made to Chichester, who received the RFU’s Seal of Approval and Sport England Clubmark certificates.

The two schemes recognise the standards met by the club in providing a safe, child-friendly environment for young players and in playing an important role in the local community.