A WORKING mother has been recognised for her years of outstanding charity work by being named the first Rose of England.

Anita Savory devotes countless hours to raising money for a range of causes, work that has already led to her being dubbed the Angel of Weardale.

Judges named the mother-of-two, from Wolsingham, County Durham, the first Rose of England after they heard how she fits her charity fundraising around working full-time as a nursery school cook and serving as a magistrate.

Mrs Savory, 45, was rewarded with a visit to the St George's Day banquet at Whitehall Palace, in London, and a cheque for £1,000.

She said: "It is a great honour to be chosen for this award.

"When I first heard about it, I thought it was a wind-up.

"I am indebted to the people of Weardale because, without them, the fundraising work that I do would not be so successful."

Among the causes Mrs Savory supports are the Weardale Community Hospital, the Butterwick Hospice, in Bishop Auckland, Multiple Sclerosis in Weardale, Independence for Disability and Cancer Research UK.

She said: "I have always tried to get the community involved in the fundraising, and make it fun for people. That is what it is all about."

The Rose of England title is awarded by the Enjoy England Celebrate St George's Day campaign, to an English woman or girl who is selfless, kind and tolerant and deserves to be recognised.

Celebrities including journalist Kate Adie and former Prime Minister Sir John Major joined Mrs Savory and her husband, Reg, at the Whitehall Palace banquet, where the Celebrate St George's Day campaign's national organiser, Bruno Peek, presented Mrs Savory with a silver medal.

The event was a birthday treat for Mrs Savory, who was 45 two days afterwards.

She said: "We had a great time. I had to say a few words, which was nerve-racking, but it was a great honour to be there. It was the best birthday present I have ever had.

"It gave me great pride to bring the medal with me back to Weardale.

"I felt like I was Cinderella going to the ball."