A charity which provides non-intrusive therapies for people suffering with MS has won an award.

Kent Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, based in Canterbury, was among the winners at the Perrys Exceptional Awards held at Leeds Castle on Thursday.

The charity, which has operated for 31 years, sent Jill Tompkins, who is a sufferer of MS, to accept the award for Perrys Exceptional Charity alongside fundraising manager Helen Wathen.

Ms Tompkins said: “It’s incredible to be accepting this award.

“I never thought I’d be in the position where I’d need to use the facilities of a charity like Kent MS Therapy Centre, but I’m blessed to live in Kent and have the opportunity to access these amazing facilities.

“I’m very thankful for everything they’ve done.”

More than 100 guests, including representatives from 27 finalists, saw winners announced in four categories at the event run by Perrys Chartered Accountants, which has bases in Strood, Tunbridge Wells, West Malling, Wrotham, Orpington and London.

The Perrys Exceptional Individual winners were Fred and Fran Long, who have put their time and energies into a range of community groups and charity projects around Tonbridge since retiring a couple of years ago.

Mr Long said: “Everyone in this category is a worthy winner but we’re absolutely overjoyed to be receiving this award.

“We love to get involved in whatever we can and giving back as much as possible, and we’ll carry on doing what we’re doing.”

Elsewhere, St. John’s Pharmacy in Sidcup was named Perrys Exceptional Business while mobile fitness group The Fitness Link in Orpington were named Perrys Exceptional Service winner.

Perrys chief executive Stewart Pope said: “Over the past eight months we have had the pleasure of receiving some of the most uplifting examples of outstanding contributions to the Kent community.

“I have always known there were a large number of fantastic people in Kent having spent my working life in the county and being born and bred in Canterbury.

“I was truly humbled and staggered by the quality of those nominated, and the passion and compassion they have all shown.”