LUNCH with the Queen at Buckingham Palace is how a Malvern couple will mark the 60th anniversary of VE and VJ day.

Patricia and James Holt, of Wedderburn Road, were invited to the commemoration lunch on July 10 after being nominated by Worcestershire branch of the Royal British Legion, where both are members.

"We were amazed," said Mrs Holt. "It was a very nice surprise to say the least, and we're really looking forward to it."

She said it could not have come at a better time.

Mr Holt's six-year-old grand-daughter Lucy Nelson has leukaemia and is recovering from a bone marrow transplant.

"It's been a very hard time, so it's nice to have a bit of good news," said Mrs Holt.

Mr Holt, who was born in Malvern, was a telegraphist with the Royal Navy, from 1942 to 1946, and worked in America and the Caribbean.

He then served aboard frigate HMS Lochech, on anti-U-boat missions, and took part in transporting officers to Bali, to accept the Japanese surrender.

Mrs Holt worked in London during the war and witnessed severe bombings, before moving to Suffolk.

The pair have been married for eight years and have 17 grandchildren between them.

This will be Mr Holt's first visit to Buckingham Palace, although his wife has been there on a visitors' tour.

"It was a fantastic place, absolutely lovely, although it'll be even better to be entertained there," she said.