A West Cumbrian magistrate met the Queen last week when she was honoured with an MBE.

Gail Inglis, 69, chairman of the magistrates' North and West Cumbria Bench, received the honour for services to the administration of justice and the community in Cumbria.

Mrs Inglis, of Great Broughton, said: "It was incredible, I kept pinching myself, it's something I never thought would happen to me when I became a magistrate 20 years ago.

"When I got the letter in December, I though it was a tax letter. I'm not often lost for words, it was an amazing feeling.

"I don't know who proposed me for the MBE but I would just like to say to whoever it was that I'm eternally grateful to them.

"It's an experience that me and my family will never forget. They're so proud of me.

"I saw the Queen at garden parties in the past, but I had never spoken to her before. She's absolutely lovely, she makes you feel like you're the only person in the room. She asked me what it was like to be a magistrate, she seemed really interested."

Mrs Inglis went to London to receive the honour with her husband Peter and her children Kim, 44, and Roland, 41.

She said: "My children wanted to make the day special so they took me to Claridge's for a meal after the ceremony. It was very special."

This will be her last year in court, as magistrates have to retire aged 70.

She said: "It's a very peculiar feeling, being a magistrate is a big part of my life. My plan is to go back to teaching country dance at the Cockermouth club. I'm sure I'll still be busy once I finish in December."