A school secretary has been given an Order of the British Empire medal the Queen’s birthday honours.

Diana Burdett, 71, of Southdown, Harpenden, has been working with schools for more than 40 years.

She started working as a school secretary at Manland School, now Sir John Lawes, for 12 years and now works at The Grove Infant and Nursery School.

Mrs Burdett said: “This has been a lovely surprise. Words cannot say how I feel.

“I feel very delighted, privileged and honoured.”

Mrs Burdett had no idea that the award was going to be given to her until she was told.

The school secretary, who has been working at The Grove for more than 30 years, remembers when she first started in this profession they were using carbon papers.

She said: “It is a really different world now. It is very high-tech.

“I had no idea who had done the nomination. I thought it was a governor but I found out it was the whole Grove community.”

Head teacher Anna Archer sent a letter to parents congratulating Mrs Burdett on her OBE.

Mrs Archer said: “We are so proud and feel it is really well deserved.

“Always meticulously fair, kind and genous to all. She is ready to go the extra mile to make sure that everyone in the school community gets the very best help and support and the most hardworking colleague I have ever had.

“We are very lucky to have her.”

Also recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list were: Richard Hill, 58, of Springfield Crescent, in Harpenden who was the head teacher of Colnbrook Special School in Watford for 20 years has been awarded an OBE for his work in education.

Mr Hill said: "I am thrilled and very honoured.

"It was the best job in the world. I was very lucky to be the head teacher of a dedicated team of people who strived to improve the lives of children with learning disabilities."

A CBE was given to former Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, Professor Michael Thorne, of St Albans, for his services to high education.

Professor Thorne said: "I am absolutely delighted.

"For me this is a recognition of the whole team at Anglia Ruskin University."

Barry Smith, from Harpenden, and the co-founder of Skyscanner, was honoured with an MBE for services to technology and travel.