FORMER teacher Diana Seeney has told of her delight at being awarded an MBE for services to the Girls' Brigade.

Diana, from Wall Heath, who used to teach at Peter's Hill Primary School, Amblecote, has been involved with the organisation for 67 years and is currently a leader at 1st Peters Hill and a District Network Council rep for Stour Valley District.

Diana, aged 76, said she was “thrilled to have been awarded an MBE” in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

She joined the 52nd Birmingham Girls' Life Brigade at Small Heath Baptist Church in 1949 as a cadet and was commissioned as an officer there in 1961 - the same time as her mum Doris Wagstaff.

Diana started the 1st Stourbridge in 1969 at Hanbury Hill Baptist Church after moving to Stourbridge in 1967.

Then in 2000 she started 1st Peters Hill group - affiliated to Hanbury Hill Baptist Church but meeting at Peter's Hill Primary.

From 2008 she trained leaders in Kosova and helped to form three Girls’ Brigade groups there, as well as leading FIZZ mission teams with her late husband Mike to the area between 2009 and 2013.

During her time with the Girls’ Brigade – she has held a number of roles including Commissioner for Hereford and Worcester Division, Commissioner for Stour Valley District and Chairman of Region 3.

She has also served on the national executive/trustee board twice and as chairman of Queen’s Award, and chairman of the Guild of Friendship – and has enjoyed taking part in performances at the Royal Albert Hall, represented GB at two Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, been part of the centenary celebrations at St Paul’s Cathedral and The Guildhall, and attended DofE Gold presentations at Buckingham Palace.

To find out more about the Girls' Brigade check out www.girlsb.org.uk.

Director of GB Ministries, Jules Murdy, praised Diana on her award and dedication to the organisation and said: “Huge congratulations go to Diana on being awarded an MBE for all her faithful service to GB.

"It's great to see the work of GB leaders being recognised in this way.”

Diana is now looking forward to another visit to the Palace to collect her Royal award in May.