A nurse whose tender loving care for her patients earned her an MBE has spoken of her pride after being presented with the award at Buckingham Palace by the Queen.

Patricia Pagan,who has run the anticoagulant unit at York District Hospital for the past 15 years, said an added bonus to her day at the Palace was bumping into legendary Olympian Steve Redgrave, who was there to receive a Knighthood.

Patricia, from Huntington, said: "It was an absolutely lovely day. All the staff at the palace were so welcoming and congratulatory.

"We were lucky because Steve Redgrave and crew were there and they were so friendly.

"It really was unbelievable to win the award. I was so proud when they called my name and said York District Hospital."

Patricia said the Queen asked her where in York she worked and what sort of training she had received. She added: "I would just like to thank all the patients who come to our clinic for their support and also all my colleagues."

Updated: 11:49 Thursday, May 03, 2001