COMMUNITY and charity stalwart Joan Bentley has been officially presented with the British Empire Medal she was awarded in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Joan, of Grange-over-Sands, received the honour from the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Claire Hensman, during the Cumbrian Federation of Women's Institutes' annual general meeting in Kendal.

A citation was read by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Jane Norman.

Joan is well known throughout the county for her flower arranging demonstrations, and has used her floral talents over the years to raise money for the NSPCC.

She has served in many community capacities over 50 years - in flower clubs and as a driving force at the Carmel Priory Flower Festival.

As a member of her WI she has worked on the committee and taken on the role of president.

Joan has also been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 30 years and helped at St. Mary’s Hospice shop. From 1993, she had worked in the Holker Hall Gift Shop and also assisted with the annual flower show.

The BEM presentation was held at The Castle Green Hotel in Kendal and members of Joan's family were there to share the occasion.

County WI chairman Ruth Rigg congratulated Joan on behalf of members, and said "how wonderful" it was that she had chosen the federation's annual general meeting for the presentation.

The guest speaker in the morning was Anne Harrison, who spoke about the many opportunities to be gained by attending a course at the WI's Denman College, of which she is chairman.

Ruth Rigg in her annual report, looked forward to 2015, which is the centenary of the foundation of the WI in Britain.

The guest speaker in the afternoon was Tracy Martin, ITN ‘This Morning’ antiques and collectables expert, who spoke about her life in antiques and career in television.