Three Wiltshire stalwarts received honours from the Queen at Windsor Castle last Friday.

Bradford on Avon’s Olympic gold medal winner Ed McKeever, 29, was given an MBE, watched from the crowd by his proud wife Anya and parents Derek and Janice during the ceremony.

Mr McKeever, who won the kayak sprint single (K1) 200m at Eton Dorney during last summer’s Games, said: “It was very nice as you don’t get to visit Windsor Castle every day.

“The Queen was very friendly and was interested in how my training for the World Championships in Germany was going.

“I’ve only been to formal events like that with other Olympians, so it was nice to meet so many people doing good through charity work and other community organisations.”

Daphne Pullen, 61, who is chairman of cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, received an OBE at the ceremony.

Mrs Pullen, of Manor Road, Upton Lovell, said: “It was an excellent day and a really lovely ceremony.

“We had great weather for it and it was great to get the chance to chat to the Queen – even if it was for 30 seconds.

“She asked me about what I had done and I told her about my charity work with CLIC, which she knew a lot about.

“I wasn’t nervous before, but I was very impressed by her and it was a great honour.”

Westbury’s David Edgington, founder of Stationary Engine magazine, also received an MBE from the Queen.

Mr Edgington said: “It is all very humbling to receive such a prestigious award for a pastime which has provided 40 years of absolute enjoyment for me.”