A woman who holds dance classes in Tylers Green has been awarded an MBE for her charity work.

Suzanne Lear, from Flackwell Heath, was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for voluntary services to medical research in the Queen's birthday honours.

She received her MBE from the Queen at Windsor Castle on December 5 after her daughter’s friends nominated her for the prestigious award.

Suzanne set up The Lisa Lear Fund after her daughter Lisa died in May 1979 after a battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Lisa was a keen dancer, dancing from the age of three and going on to reach the top of the junior ranks until she became ill aged 16.

Suzanne, a dance enthusiast herself, now runs the Suzanne Lear School of Dance.

All of the events held by the dance school benefit the Lisa Lear Fund, which has helped raise £500,000 for research into non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and related illnesses so far.

Suzanne said: “We’re a charity that never asks for money. We hold events that everyone can benefit from and we have never hired any staff, just volunteers.”

Ms Lear runs dance classes for people of all ages in Tylers Green Village Hall every Tuesday.

Suzanne said: “It was fantastic to meet the Queen, such an incredible experience. It was such a fascinating process and the whole day was brilliant.”