FRIENDS of a woman known as 'Mrs Saltburn' had a pleasant surprise when they learnt she had been awarded the MBE.

Jackie Taylor received the honour for her services to Saltburn-by-Sea, notably for her work on the coastal town's annual Britain in Bloom entry.

The retired nursing officer has worked tirelessly with other volunteers to expand the effort each year and the town has won several national awards for its displays.

Mrs Taylor said: "This is such a great honour that I can't put it into words. I had to think about it for two days. I thought, 'why just me?'

So many volunteers work so hard and I'm just one of them. But in the end I thought it would be better if I accepted it on behalf of the whole town."

Her fellow Britain-in-Bloom volunteers were delighted when they were told of Mrs Taylor's news.

They were preparing to put up more than 300 hanging flower baskets in the town.

Mrs Taylor said: "It's lovely to see everyone working together but it represents a lot of hard work. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed by sponsoring the baskets."

Mrs Taylor had the idea for Saltburn to take part in Britain in Bloom in 1988 after moving to the town from Suffolk. As well as working on the displays she and other volunteers arrange many fundraising community events and sponsorship to pay for the flower displays and any other gardening equipment needed.

Mrs Taylor said she fell in love with Saltburn when she visited her sister who lived in nearby Boulby. She moved to East Cleveland and says she was inspired by the annual Britain in Bloom entries of Bury St Edmunds and decided to help to organise something similar in Saltburn.

Last year the town won the silver-gilt award for a coastal resort with a population of under 20,000 and this year is one of 61 national finalists in the Royal Horticultural Society's competition.

The town also holds the Best People Participation Award from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Mrs Taylor and the other volunteers will be working hard to get the community looking its best in time for the UK judging tour, which takes place between August 4 and August 15.

The prizes will be presented at an ceremony on September 30.