A Sandbach woman who devotes her life to helping others and working for the community has received a special thank you from Buckingham Palace.

Town councillor, Ann Nevitt, who launched a lengthy campaign to save Sandbach cemetery and volunteers for the homeless charity, Chance, Changing Lives was invited to a Coronation Garden Party.

And the enterprising councillor, who was part of a working group organising the town's amazing Coronation events, has brought her efforts to the attention of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Cllr Nevitt was lucky enough to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales at the special event earlier in the week in the grounds of Buckingham Palace where she spoke to the 'charming' couple about her work.

Cllr Nevitt with partner Phil Brooks outside Buckingham Palace

Sandbach Nub News revealed here how Cllr Nevitt had been chosen as a Coronation Champion.

"We shook hands and then the Prince of Wales looked at my Coronation Champion badge and asked what work I did," said Cllr Nevitt.

"I talked about the work with Chance and the Prince told me he had worked on a homeless initiative and to look out for news about it.

"The weather was beautiful and it was a wonderful occasion and one I will never forget. I haven't been to Buckingham Palace before so it was lovely to be invited."

Cllr Nevitt is one of the only 500 outstanding volunteers nationwide to be chosen as a Coronation Champion, an initiative run in conjunction with the Royal Voluntary Service.

She launched a lengthy battle as reported here to get Sandbach Cemetery extended which involved a massive petition and presentations to Cheshire East Council.

Cllr Nevitt (left) at work with Chance, Changing Lives. (Photo: Chance, Changing Lives)

A campaigner of many projects in Sandbach, Cllr Nevitt also volunteers for Chance's Saturday kitchen at Jubilee House in St Paul's Street, Crewe in between her work in the town as a councillor.

The Coronation Champions Awards invited people across the UK to nominate their local volunteering heroes who are going the extra mile. Nominations were made across eight award categories; supporting older people, supporting young people and children, crisis and welfare, community; sports, culture, and heritage, health and care; sustainability and the environment and animal welfare.