Maundy Money recipient nervous ahead of big day

Jean Colley watched the last royal Maundy service to be held at Worcester Cathedral, in 1980

A 75-year-old who is due to receive Maundy money from the Queen said she was "quite nervous but excited at the same time".

The annual Royal Maundy Service will be held at Worcester Cathedral on Thursday and Her Majesty will be distributing the gifts on behalf of the King.

Ceremonial coins will be presented to 75 men and 75 women from around the country, in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.

Jean Colley, who runs a community shop in Alfrick, Worcestershire, and has served as a church warden for 25 years, said her first reaction was "why me?"

She said she would be wearing a new dress and would take her 45-year-old daughter, who has Down's Syndrome.

Mrs Colley said her daughter had met royalty once before, when Prince Philip presented her with her Duke of Edinburgh gold award.

She also remembered taking her children to see Queen Elizabeth II when she last presented Maundy money in Worcester, in 1980.

Mrs Colley said she enjoyed her work as a church warden at St Edburga's in Leigh, but it was "quite difficult" at times.

She has been involved with her local community shop since it started 12 years ago.

She said it would be "a real honour" to meet the current Queen, and after seeing the previous ceremony in Worcester from a distance she added: "it will be very special to be part of the service."

The traditional Maundy service will be held at Worcester Cathedral for the first time since 1980

Last year, the Maundy money service was held at York Minster.

It is a symbolic ceremony which dates back to AD600 and the monarch gives specially-minted coins to selected people.

It takes place each year on the Thursday before Easter.