KAT Copeland is looking forward to opening a new chapter of her career after receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace today.

Copeland, who is from Stokesley, made history last summer when she became the first North-East female to win an Olympic gold medal.

The 22-year-old rower triumphed in the lightweight double sculls along with former Durham University student Sophie Hosking, with today's ceremony honouring her golden contribution to Team GBs success at London 2012.

Having travelled to London with her family, who were also at Eton Dorney to watch her thrilling gold-medal success last August, Copeland was extremely proud to receive the MBE she was awarded in the New Year's honours list.

However, she is happy to be drawing a line under her Olympic success and turning her attention to the future.

She said: "It's such an incredible honour and I still can't really believe all of this has happened to me. I've had so many amazing experiences on the back of the Olympics, but getting an MBE tops everything.

"It was an amazing day, although I think my mum was even more excited than I was.

"This is really the last big thing to happen as a result of the Olympics, and in some ways, it's nice to be able to draw a line under it all now. I can look forward to a fresh start and the start of a new chapter in my life."

Since winning at the Olympics, Copeland has taken an extended break in order to do some travelling.

She is back training at Tees Rowing Club, but will not be competing internationally this season.

However, she intends to compete in November's winter trials and is already targeting a defence of her Olympic crown in Rio in 2016.

She said: "I know I spoke about maybe giving up, but deep down I always knew I wanted to carry on rowing.

"I just needed a bit of a break over the winter though because everything was getting a bit manic and I needed to step away from it all.

"I've done that now and Im loving being back on the water, although the first few sessions back were a killer. I'm training three times a day at the minute, and the fitness is gradually returning.

"I'm going to take it easy this summer and do things Ive never been able to do, like go to a festival or have a family holiday, but I'm definitely hoping to be back in plenty of time for the build-up to 2016."