A woman honoured for providing a lifeline to lonely pensioners has admitted she is “very nervous” about coming face to face with royalty.

Christine Burden, 65, from Meadow Lane, East Oxford, founded the Sweet Memories Senior Citizen's Club nearly 11 years ago.

On Tuesday she will be at Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE in recognition of her efforts.

She said: “It’s just unbelievable for someone like me.

“I just enjoy it so much that it doesn’t seem like a big thing.”

She added: “But it is an honour for my family and my volunteers – without them I could never have done it.”

When Mrs Burden – who has two grown-up sons and two grandsons – first started the group, just four people came along.

Now, 70 or more pensioners come from all over Oxford each week.

Mrs Burden said: “We are one big happy family and we all help each other. My grandchildren, Jack and Tom, go along and entertain them sometimes.”

She admitted organising the weekly club – which meets at the Gladiators Club in Percy Street, East Oxford, on Thursdays – was “near enough a full-time job”.

As well as greeting newcomers with a kiss and a hug, Mrs Burden provides a listening ear, and helps people access benefits they did not realise they were entitled to. She said: “When I come into the club, the buzz of talking is really loud because some of them haven’t spoken to anyone all week. It makes me feel very content. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

After much discussion, Mrs Burden has decided on one of the most important things about her big day on Tuesday – the outfit.

She said: “The coffee morning ladies have been bringing hats in and we’ve been trying them on, but it’s all decided now.

“I have said all along that my volunteering is for everyone. I wish I could take them all along with me.”

She will be escorted to Buckingham Palace by husband Colin and her sons, Richard and Stephen.

Mrs Burden said: “I do love the Royal family. I’ll be alright once I’m there at the palace, but I’m a bit worried about getting in a traffic jam and not getting there on time.”

Mrs Burden was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Buckingham Palace would not confirm which Royal is conducting Tuesday’s event.