A Halstead gran and Prince Charles shared their love of literature at a celebratory Red Cross garden party.

Sylvia Merrifield, 84, of Nether Court, was rewarded for her dedication to the Red Cross charity shop in Weavers Court, Halstead, with an invitation to Buckingham Palace.

She was one of a select number of volunteers lucky enough to be asked along to celebrate the charity’s 150 years.

Mrs Merrified, who has worked in the shop for 11 years, said: “I said I worked in the bookshop and I love books. He said he enjoyed books too.
“It was a fantastic day and a once in a lifetime event.”