A 93-year-old woman's life-long dream to see the Queen was set to come true today - thanks to This Is Essex partner The Evening Echo and Basildon Council.

Ann Myers, of The Knares, Basildon, was very excited when she learned of today's visit to mark the town's 50th anniversary and the opening of the world's first glass bell tower.

The very frail woman, who is partially blind and deaf, told her friend Sylvia Parodi, 61, she would like to have shown the Queen her late husband's World War I medals.

But Sylvia, of Osborne Road, Basildon, who had considered taking Ann, was worried the crowds would be too much for her.

In a final attempt to make her friend's dream come true Sylvia called the Echo to see if we could help.

Basildon Council was contacted and the matter looked into personally by chief executive John Robb.

It was arranged that both Ann and Sylvia would be within feet of the Queen and Prince Philip on their tour of the 50th anniversary exhibition in the Towngate Theatre.

Ann planned to proudly wear her husband Bob's medals. He died nine years ago.

Sylvia said: "It's great, I'm ever so pleased. Ann was over the moon about it. I can't thank the Echo and the council enough for making her dream come true.

"She's lived in Basildon for more than 50 years and was very excited when she heard the Queen was coming here for the town's anniversary.

A spokesman for Basildon Council, said: "We are only too pleased to help Mrs Myers and would like to thank the Echo for bringing this to our attention.

"The focus for the Queen's visit is very much on the community and Mrs Myers is someone who has lived in the town for many years."

An area was set aside in St Martin's Square for the elderly and disabled.

Over the moon - Ann and Sylvia couldn't wait to show the Queen Ann's husband's medals

The Queen - visiting Essex today

Picture: MAXINE CLARK

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