A CHAMPION of young people has told of her precious memory of meeting the late Queen.

Tina Cornish of Bridport was invited to Buckingham Palace after she was awarded an MBE in June 2005 for her long service to the young people of Bridport.

She had run Loders Youth Club for 28 years, mainly voluntarily, and campaigned for village starter homes for local people in the early 1980s.

Tina said: "I am not one for pomp and glory and recognition but accepted the invitation to Buckingham Palace as I was informed that local people held my service in high regard and had spent much time and effort in getting my work recognised.

"My husband and two daughters accompanied me to London to receive the award. On queuing at Buckingham Palace to receive the prestigious award, we were unsure as to which member of the royal family would carry out the honours that day as the Queen had previously been suffering from a chest infection.

"We were absolutely delighted to find that she had resumed duties this day and I received my MBE from her.

"It was an absolute honour and I filtered through in the line of many volunteers to find my way to her audience where she shook my hand and asked how many children I looked after in my volunteering to which I answered some 50 children a week.

"She thanked me for my work most graciously and my hand was shaken in gratitude and my medal given."

Tina said that afterwards she felt 'a sense of pride' and was delighted the Queen showed such interest in her charity work and remains inspired by the dutiful monarch to this day.

She said: "My dedication to volunteering has remained given the Queen's inspiration for duty and selflessness and I continue today to give time to volunteering in respect for her and because there is nothing better than the self-esteem and appreciation one gets for helping others.

"My aim is to pass this on to future generations to ensure that as may people as possible can find happiness in helping others - kindness to others should be foremost in everybody's mind."

Tina said that despite the Queen's small height, her 'aura was large' and she spoke with such 'graciousness and calm she would put anybody at ease'.

"She was dignified but had a smile that would melt any animosity," she said.

"May she now rest in peace given her longevity and support for all nations within the Commonwealth. How many people serve the country until death -many enjoy retirement at 60/70 - but she continued until the end working tirelessly for the country and beyond," she added.