A CULCHETH woman has been to a Buckingham Palace garden party and met the Queen.

Anita Cooke spent five minutes chatting informally with the monarch about the charity she runs in Skelmersdale, which provides work activities and training for people with special needs.

Forty-two-years-old Anita said: "She spoke with us for about five minutes about the work we do and she seemed very interested.

"She was very, very nice and told us she would be coming up to visit the North West for the Commonwealth Games."

Anita, who is chief executive of Midstream (West Lancs ) Ltd was accompanied to the garden party -- held to mark the Jubilee -- by Carl Washington, aged 19, who attends Midstream four times a week.

At the party the pair noticed about 12 other members of the Royal family mingling with other guests, including Prince Andrew, Prince Philip and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Dignitaries from the Commonwealth Games and Palace officials also rubbed shoulders with the visitors.

Anita was impressed by the palace's seven acres of beautifully kept gardens which featured a lake, rose gardens and a pretty tree area.

"The Queen told me the lawn had taken quite a hammering from the recent concert -- but I thought it looked absolutely superb anyway."

Anita received her special invite to the exclusive party after being selected by the Lieutenancy Office.

And she got to meet the Queen after getting talking to the Lord Chamberlain at the party -- who offered to set up an introduction.

Anita, who was born and bred in Leigh, has been involved with Midstream for seven years.

The charity helps people with special needs build up their self esteem and confidence and get into employment.