THE dedication and hard work of two Redditch councillors has been rewarded with a visit to Buckingham Palace for a garden party.

Councillors Antonia Pulsford and Mike Brailey visited the palace on July 14, the day the Queen and the nation stopped to remember the victims of the London bombings.

When Mrs Pulsford and her husband reached Euston Station at noon, thousands of people were just about to start the two-minute silence.

"It was a very poignant time. Virtually everything came to a standstill as travellers and staff thought about the people who had lost their lives. We had considered treating ourselves to a taxi for part of the journey through London but we felt we wanted to catch the tube. We mustn't let ourselves be pushed around by terrorists or change our lifestyles."

When the Redditch councillors arrived at the palace they were stunned by the beautiful rose gardens and lake and some of the impressive palace rooms. The garden party guests were treated to performances from two military bands before the Queen and Prince Edward went on a meet and greet session.

Mrs Pulsford said: "There was certain people the Queen spoke to directly and we weren't on that list but we were very near and heard her speaking. She was extremely jolly."