CELEBRITIES including Sir Cliff Richard and the cast of Strictly Come Dancing rolled out the red carpet for an Oxford icon as Icolyn 'Ma Smith' received her Pride of Britain award.

The star-studded scenes, which will be broadcast to millions tomorrow on ITV, were filmed last week at a ceremony in London.

Oxford Mail:

The 87-year-old, who has run a soup kitchen off Cowley Road for 29 years, was one of just 11 individuals and groups honoured at the awards, which celebrate the achievements of 'truly remarkable people who make our world a better place'.

Mrs Smith, affectionately known as Ma Smith, founded the Oxford Community Soup Kitchen in 1989 after seeing a teenage boy rummaging through bins for food.

Despite her years of tireless work to keep the soup kitchen, which has faced closure several times, running the pensioner said she was 'very surprised' when her son Gary told her she had been chosen for the TSB Community Partner award.

Oxford Mail:

She said: "I couldn't believe it. It doesn't feel like I am doing something special, just what needs to be done."

Mrs Smith travelled to London last Sunday with her family to attend a special dinner for Pride of Britain recipients and the following day met Prime Minister Theresa May ahead of the ceremony at London's Grosvenor House.

Mrs Smith was presented with her award by the cast from Strictly Come Dancing. Guests also included Prince Charles, Major Tim Peake and members of the England football team.

Oxford Mail:

The award is not the first time the mother-of-five has been recognised for her soup kitchen. In 1998 the former carer was made an MBE for services to disadvantaged people and in 2012 received £11,500 funding through the Channel 4 programme The Secret Millionaire.

The Pride of Britain Awards will be broadcast on ITV at 8pm tomorrow.