A long-serving volunteer at the Wetland Centre was rewarded for her dedication.

Ann Johnston, 88, was presented with the British Empire Medal by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir David Brewer.

The award is for services to WWT London Wetland Centre, the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mrs volunteer has been a regular at the wetland centre in Barnes since September 1998 and her duties include greeting visitors, guiding members of the public and representing the centre at exhibitions and shows.

She was born in Trinidad, where her father was general manager of Shell, then came to the UK for school before she served with the Wrens at Lowestoft toward the end of the World War II.

After the war, her family moved to South Africa where she married and had two children and returned to the UK in the early 70s.

The 105-acre wetland visitor centre is an international award-winning visitor attraction and a site of special scientific interest.

It is home to a range of wildlife species including birds, water voles, bats and amphibians.