They have spent their life promoting the Cornish language and now two women from the Helston area are to receive the highest honour the county can bestow.

Martine Knight from Helston and Dee Harris from Porkellis are to be made bards at this year's Gorsedh Kernow Esedhvos Festival held at Launceston Castle on September 2.

They are two of just nine new initiates this year joining the ranks of 500 or so existing members of the College of Bards.

Martine has been chosen for her work promoting the Cornish language and identity in a wide field across the community, while Dee is to be honoured for her "examination in the Cornish language and continuing service to Cornwall."

Describing the moment she received the letter informing her of the honour, Martine told the Helston Packet: "I think it's fair to say I was speechless, which for me is quite unusual. I thought, 'Is this somebody's idea of a joke?', then I tested the signature.

"It's a great honour and I'm delighted - it's totally unexpected, totally. I'm very honoured and looking forward to the day immensely."

Among her work promoting the language, Martine tabled and won a vote for Helston Town Council to include Cornish on its letterhead in correspondence and agendas, during her time as a town councillor.

Grand Bard of Cornwall Merv Davey said: "Being awarded a bardship is a great honour, especially as the ceremony is conducted in front of all the other blue robed bards, alongside representatives of our sister Celtic nations of Wales and Brittany, other Cornish organisations and friends and families that support Gorsedh Kernow and come together on this special occasion to celebrate our precious Cornish culture."

Other new bards include a man from California, for promoting Cornish identity in the USA.