A BARROW woman rubbed shoulders with royalty at Buckingham Palace as she collected her MBE.

Annette Heslop was given her MBE by Prince William as part of the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Mrs Heslop, who lives in Ormsgill with her husband John, was given the award for her more than 20 years work towards encouraging and providing renewable energy in the community.

She currently works for Barrow-based Energy4All (E4All), where she has been since the organisation was founded in 2002.

Speaking about her visit to Buckingham Palace, Mrs Heslop said: “It was an immense pleasure to be invited to the Palace and be presented the award by Prince William.”

“Energy4All has grown to include 27 independent renewable-energy co-operatives.

“These Co-operatives have more than 13,000 members and together we push for increased usage of renewable energy in an effort to combat climate change.”

Energy4All works with communities to develop innovative renewable energy projects.

They raise the funds necessary to kickstart these projects and bring in managers with the correct skills to oversee the construction process.

They also work with directors to help them manage the projects and ensure they continue to operate over the long-term.

She is currently the Finance and Administration Director, responsible for the professional management of all the E4All co-ops.

Susan Lorraine Smith, from Morecambe, executive chief nurse at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS and to patient safety.