A pub landlady who has raised more than half a million pounds for a cancer charity has been awarded an MBE.

Susan Johnson received her title for services supporting patients with cancer care from His Royal Highness Prince William at Buckingham Palace on Friday, March 11.

Susan was joined by her husband and children as she received her accolade.

She said: “It was amazing, it was an absolutely wonderful day, my husband and my children came down to London with me to celebrate.

“Prince William presented me with my MBE, and he is a delightful young man.

“I was very proud to accept it, and I want to thank all the people from Hyndburn who have supported me.”

Susan, who runs the Peel Park Hotel on Turkey Street in Accrington, said following the initial shock of finding out she was to be made a Member of the British Empire.

She said: “I think I’m still on the ceiling from it, there’s a big build up to it, I’ve known since November but I had to keep it a secret. This is something that I read about other people getting, it doesn’t happen to me. I was overwhelmed with it all.”

Susan, a former Mayoress of Hyndburn, chairs the Macmillan Cancer Support Hyndburn fundraising committee and was one of four Hyndburn residents recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Susan, who also serves as a magistrate, is married to David and has two children Sarah and David.

Jeanette Parkes, from the Hyndburn Macmillan Cancer Support committee, said they were all “very proud” of Susan.

She added: “It’s a much deserved award, she works extremely hard and without her the Hyndburn Macmillan Cancer Support wouldn’t exist.

“We’re so pleased that her hard work has been recognised, she has been fundraising for Macmillan for a long time.”

Jeanette added they were looking forward to seeing Susan and having a look at her MBE award.

Fellow Hyndburn winners Catherine Hill, Jean Spence and Phil Vincent-Barwood were also recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for services to education, community and the environment.