AN 85-YEAR-OLD charity worker talked about life in the East End over tea and biscuits with Dame Barbara Windsor last week.

Haven House Children’s Hospice’s longest-standing volunteer Violet Pace got the chance to meet Dame Barbara, 79, when she presented her with a Team London long service award in November.

But Violet, of Little Ilford, had the chance to meet her properly when she was invited to City Hall for a special celebration of her hard work last Friday (January 13).

The pensioner started volunteering for Haven House in 1999 after working for the Kenneth Moore Theatre in Ilford for over 30 years.

She started out at the hospice’s temporary office in Cranbrook Ilford, before its centre in High Road, Woodford Green, opened in 2003.

Violet took her son Michael and fellow Haven House volunteer Mary Blewett to meet Babs.

She said: “It was wonderful – she’s such a lovely person.

“I really enjoyed chatting to her about Haven House and East End life over tea and biscuits.

“I’m so grateful to Dame Barbara and Team London for all their kindness.”

Haven House chief executive Mike Palfreman called Violet “an inspiration to everyone at the hospice”.

He said: “We’re delighted she had the opportunity to meet Dame Barbara in what was a very special morning.”

Anyone wishing to follow in Violet’s footsteps and volunteer at Haven House should visit the website for more information.