Volunteer's tears of joy at Maundy money honour
BBCA woman who helped preserve parts of her local church said she cried when she found out she had been chosen to receive the Maundy money from King Charles III.
Anne Johnson, 83, from Hartlepool, is one of the 152 people who will be given the traditional Easter honour at Durham Cathedral on Thursday.
The specially-minted money recognise people for their outstanding Christian service and making a difference in the community.
"When I felt the quality of the envelope, I realised it wasn't just an invoice from the oil company," Mrs Johnson said.
"When I read it I actually cried.
"It was tears of joy, almost tears of humility in some way because it's such a long-standing tradition and such an honour."
Royal Maundy takes place each year on the Thursday before Easter Day.
It is a service in which the Monarch expresses his gratitude to those who serve and volunteer in their communities.
Mrs Johnson has been involved in her local community for more than 50 years.
She has raised funds to preserve parts of St Mary Magdalene church and completed a course to become a pastoral assistant about 10 years ago.
Mrs Johnson said she was looking forward to seeing the King and Queen up close at the service on Thursday.
"I've watched it so many times and I never thought I could be a privileged person."
Her latest project is to open up a land next to the church to the general public for the first time.
She hopes to create a meeting space for groups there.