A midwife who was made an OBE said picking up her award at Buckingham Palace was "out of this world."

Wendy Matthews, deputy chief nurse at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust (BHRUT) was given the honour in January.

Princess Anne presented her with her award last Wednesday, who took the time to ask her about her rule at the trust and why she joined.

She said:  “The day was amazing from start to finish. It was so nice that I could take my family along, they’re extremely proud."

She took her mother, husband Ken and son Zac to Buckingham Palace for the award ceremony.

Wendy has led a number of improvements at the trust's maternity department over the last five years and became a midwife in 1985.

She said she was in "awe" of the other award recipients at the palace.

She said: "It was really interesting. It was a fantstic day that I will never, ever forget."

Speaking about her job, she added: "I started out as a nurse and I still love it, but midwifery has always been my passion.

"I enjoy the partnership we as midwives have with women when they’re giving birth, and no one forgets the midwife who delivered their baby.

“We are honoured to be there and helping to deliver a baby makes you feel like you’re on cloud nine.”