A WOLVERLEY school pupil has returned from a once in a lifetime fantasy royal celebration to mark the Queen's 80th birthday.

Emily Taylor made the trip to Buckingham Palace on Sunday and took her place alongside other revellers at the special party that aimed to "bring children's literature to life".

The lucky 10-year-old was one of 1,000 to be chosen from a lottery of more than 250,000 youngsters trying to get their hands on a treasured invitation.

Emily, who attends Heathfield School, had the chance to come face-to-face with many of her book character favourites, including Winnie the Pooh, The Big Friendly Giant and Paddington Bear.

The self-confessed bookworm's highlight of the day was meeting her acting hero, Emma Watson, who plays the part of Harry Potter's sidekick, Hermione Granger, at the one-off party in the palace garden.

A televised production, based on a story to find the Queen's lost handbag, including celebrities Sophie Dahl, Ronnie Corbett, Jonathan Ross, Martin Clunes, Jerry Hall and Patsy Kensit, was the event's finale.

Emily, who was joined by her father, William, and friend, Harry Wootton-Jones at the event, said it was a day she would never forget.

She explained: "My dad told me about two months ago that I had been given an invite. I was really excited but I was also a little bit worried because I wasn't sure what to expect.

"The palace was beautiful and the sun shone all day. When we walked in, the guards greeted us and then I saw the Queen.

"I didn't get to speak to her because there were a lot of people around her but she seemed very nice."

The keen reader, who wants to be an author and actor when she grows up, also received a goodie bag with a Jamie Oliver food hamper.

Emily, who lives in Alveley, near Bridgnorth, is stepping out in front of her classmates today to tell them about her magical day.

Heathfield School's headteacher, Roger Brierly, said: "She is just ideally suited, because of her interest in literature, to have been chosen to visit Buckingham Palace for this great occasion. I am sure she would have gained a lot from the wonderful experience."