More than a quarter of people in the county take time out to serve the community in a voluntary capacity at least once a month, research has revealed.

The findings come from the first annual 'Volunteering Index', a report based on research by YouGov plc commissioned by The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to uncover the nation's volunteering profile.

The research shows that 27 per cent across the region volunteer at least once a month – and 58 per cent believe voluntary groups are not acknowledged enough publicly for the work they do.

The figures accompany a call from the organisers for nominations for the 2010 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour that can be bestowed on groups giving their time freely for the benefit of others.

In the six years since it was created as a national honour to mark the occasion of the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, more than 600 groups around the UK have now won the award.

The Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett, the Queen’s representative in Kent, said: "I have the greatest admiration for the excellent work our many hundreds of voluntary organisations are doing for the communities of Kent and am keen that the dedication and effort of these public-spirited people is properly recognised.

"There are great rewards to be had from volunteering, whether in terms of personal achievement and the development of new skills, or a deeper connection with your local community - but it's clear from the research that many in Kent believe, like me, that those whose tireless efforts benefit others deserve wider public recognition."