A prolific fundraiser from Porthleven has been presented with a medal on behalf of the Queen.

Leigh Yates, who has raised thousands of pounds for charities including Porthleven School and the Sparkle Foundation she helped found, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours List back in June.

This has now been presented by the Queen's representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho, in front of Mrs Yates' family and friends.

She told the Packet afterwards: "It wasn’t just a personal achievement but a reflection of the support I’ve had and it’s truly humbling."

After the presentation she and guests, including her family, friends and charity sponsors, enjoyed tea and cake.

Mrs Yates has been a driving force in fundraising for Porthleven School, as chair of the Parent and Teachers Association.

She is the woman behind the annual themed fireworks night at the school as well as the Southerly Point Armed Forces Day since 2015, which has a different theme each year and is held in support of armed forces charity and schools in the Southerly Point Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust.

Formerly from London, the mum-of-two uses her previous connections with big name businesses such as Harrods and Gucci to gather support and donations for her fundraising events.

In 2016 she was a founder member of The Sparkle Foundation, set up to offer discreet help to people who have fallen on hard times.

Mrs Yates’ medal was awarded for services to education.