A WILDLIFE lover who has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to helping injured and distressed swans has been awarded an MBE.

Jan Harrigan first set up the Swan Rescue Centre in Wychbold, after she nursed a swan with a broken wing back to health in the early 1970s.

Since then, she has seen many injured swans and water birds and has tirelessly spent hours nursing them back to good health.

And now, she has finally received official recognition for her achievements.

"I was gobsmacked when I first found out," she said. "I nearly fell off my chair. But it's wonderful to think that people think so highly of you and to be recognised for what you do.

"I found out back in June but I couldn't really tell anyone about it at that time."

Mrs Harrigan, aged 71, who was also nominated for Midlander of the Year last year, went to Buckingham Palace to collect her award and said that she was "thrilled" to have met the Queen.

"She was a very nice lady. I had broken my ankle and she was very concerned about me staggering about. It was a really wonderful day and I felt great."

During the past 30 years, Mrs Harrigan says she has helped nurse thousands of injured and sick swans and now has a team of volunteers who help her.

"It all began with one particular swan from the River Salwarpe, which came in with a broken wing. I've always been interested in wildlife and it just grew from there."

Among her many aims, Mrs Harrigan hopes that one day there will be a complete ban on anglers using lead weights, which have proven fatal for many swans left untreated.

"We are trying to change the law. I'm not anti-fishing but lead poisoning is still very serious."