BUCKLAND Abbey’s volunteer team has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The hard work and dedication of the abbey’s team of volunteer art ambassadors has been recognised by their shortlisting in this year’s Museums and Heritage Awards for the Volunteer Team of the Year.

The annual awards celebrate best practice within the world of cultural and heritage visitor attractions, museums and galleries.

The team was instrumental in the success of last year’s art of reflection exhibition when they worked with sculptor Andrew Logan to use contemporary art as a tool to encourage visitors to experience Buckland in a thought provoking way.

The groundbreaking project, one of the most ambitious collaborations between the National Trust and a living artist, resulted in nearly 20 carefully-chosen pieces of art woven throughout the abbey’s existing collection and historic spaces. The exhibition purposely had little printed interpretation so the art ambassadors played a key role in helping visitors to engage with the exhibition and gain an appreciation of Buckland’s pervading spirit.

The exhibition, and the role of the art ambassadors, has proved so successful that a further piece of sculpture by Andrew Logan, the giant Cosmic Egg, will be on show in Buckland’s great barn until September 23 this year.

The awards will be presented on Wednesday, May 6 in London.