A MALVERN volunteer enjoyed a lunchtime reception with the Queen and the Duke of Kent at Buckingham Palace.

David Hemingway spent two hours at the palace on Thursday, November 3.

He was one of around 500 people invited to celebrate the Year of the Volunteer, a government initiative to raise the profile of voluntary work.

"It was a good experience and I was very pleased to be chosen," said Mr Hemingway.

"I was within touching distance of the Queen, although I didn't get to speak to her."

Mr Hemingway has been a volunteer with The Borrowers Toy Library, in Barnards Green, for eight years. He has spent two days a week working at the library since retiring from running his successful Malvern toyshop Hemingways.

"I thought I'd give it a go and I've been there ever since," he said. "I enjoy it and it's much better than just sitting at home."