Keith and Crawford receive honours from Queen

Actress Penelope Keith has officially been made a dame at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The 73-year-old star of The Good Life was joined by fellow performer Michael Crawford, who was appointed CBE in recognition of his charitable efforts.

Keith, whose career has spanned more than 50 years, joked that it was "marvellous recognition for keeping at it for as long as I have.

"It's not only for my work, it's for the charities of which I'm associated."

The actress was made a dame by the Queen in a ceremony at Windsor Castle

The actress is president of the Actors' Benevolent Fund and played a significant role in helping to establish and develop the National Memorial Arboretum.

Keith became a household name as the suburban snob Margot Leadbetter in 1970s sitcom The Good Life, and cemented her fame playing Lady Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To The Manor Born in the 1980s.

Speaking of her Good Life co-stars, she said: "It was one of those magic things when everything came together - the writing, the actors, directing.

"We were all from the same background, we were all actors as opposed to comedians - and we all liked each other hugely."

Crawford, who found fame as the hapless Frank Spencer in 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, went on to become an award-winning stage actor in musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera and Barnum.

The 71-year-old is president of The Sick Children's Trust and patron of the Lighthouse Foundation, an Australian organisation that supports homeless young people by giving them a home, a family and therapeutic care.

The actor, who received his honour from the Queen, joined Keith after the ceremony.

"My mother always told me to do things modestly - so I'm not really a good advertisement for any charity," he said.